profanations
Acts defiling holiness
Profanations are acts of treating something sacred or revered with irreverence or contempt.
The word applies to religious violations—desecrating a holy site, defiling sacred objects—but extends to secular contexts: The commercialization of the holiday felt like a profanation of everything it once stood for.
The singular profanation is more common.
Violating something sacred
- blasphemyIrreverence toward the sacred
- defilementAct of corrupting purity
- impietyIrreverence toward the divine
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
iconoclasm · apostasy · irreligion · abomination · anathema · sacrilege · tomb robbing
Contemptuous mocking treatment
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- scoffingMocking with contempt
- parodySatirical imitation
- satireMockery exposing vice
lampoon · caricature · irreverence · contempt · disdain · scorn · disrespect · belittlement
Using profane language
- swearingProfane speech or vows
- expletivesVulgar exclamations
- obscenityIndecent word or act
- vulgarityOffensive coarseness in manner
oath breaking · invective · malediction · imprecation · foul language
Willful property damage
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- spoliationDestruction or plundering
- destructionAct of completely ruining
degradation · defacement · graffiti · demolition · ransacking · looting · pillaging · statue toppling
desecration
Violating something sacred
- blasphemyIrreverence toward the sacred
- defilementAct of corrupting purity
- impietyIrreverence toward the divine
heresy · iconoclasm · apostasy · irreligion · abomination · anathema · sacrilege · tomb robbing
ridicule
Contemptuous mocking treatment
satire · lampoon · caricature · irreverence · contempt · disdain · scorn · disrespect · belittlement · travesty
cursing
Using profane language
- swearingProfane speech or vows
- expletivesVulgar exclamations
- obscenityIndecent word or act
vulgarity · oath breaking · invective · malediction · imprecation · foul language
vandalism
Willful property damage
- pollutionEnvironmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- spoliationDestruction or plundering
destruction · degradation · defacement · graffiti · demolition · ransacking · looting · pillaging · statue toppling · church burning
profanationsconsecrations
Acts of making holy
sanctifications · dedications · blessings · hallowing · purifications
profanationshonors
Recognition for achievement
tributes · homages · adorations · celebrations · commemorations
profanationsreverence
Profound admiring respect
worship · veneration · adoration · glorification · exaltation