desecrates
Defiles holy ground
Desecrates means to violate the sacred character of something, treating what is holy or revered with contempt or disrespect.
A vandal desecrates a cemetery by toppling headstones.
Someone desecrates a flag by burning it in protest.
The word implies not just damage but a specific offense against what others hold sacred: Graffiti desecrated the memorial.
Treats irreverently
- blasphemesInsults the sacred
- defilesContaminates or desecrates
- violatesActs against established rules
- unholyWicked, impious, sinful
altar · temple · shrine · church · mosque · synagogue · holy · sanctuary
Shows lack of regard
- violatesActs against established rules
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
- indigenousOriginating in a region
ancestral · totems · ceremonial · traditions · customs · taboo · burial grounds · petroglyphs
profanes
Treats irreverently
- blasphemesInsults the sacred
- defilesContaminates or desecrates
- violatesActs against established rules
unholy · altar · temple · shrine · church · mosque · synagogue · holy · sanctuary · tabernacle
disrespects
Shows lack of regard
- violatesActs against established rules
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
indigenous · ancestral · totems · ceremonial · traditions · customs · taboo · burial grounds · petroglyphs · dreamtime
vandalizes
Willfully damages property
tombstone · headstone · monument · memorial · mausoleum · crypt · burial · remains · ashes · urn
tramples
Crushes by stepping
effigy · icon · emblem · national · patriotic · protest · disrespect · contempt · outrage · dignity
- tarnishesblemishes, blots, corrupts, defames, denigrates
desecratesconsecrates
Makes ritually holy
sanctifies · blesses · hallows · dedicates · anoints
- grave desecrationDamaging or dishonoring tombs
desecrate, desecration, desecrated, desecrating, desecrator, desecrators, desecrations