sacrilegious
Violating the sacred
Sacrilegious describes treating something sacred with irreverence or contempt.
The word applies literally to violations of religious sanctity—desecrating a church, mocking holy rites—but extends to any disrespect toward things others hold dear: It feels sacrilegious to put ketchup on a hot dog in Chicago.
Often misspelled "sacreligious" by analogy with "religious," but the word derives from sacrilege, not religion.
Belief opposing official doctrine
- profanationViolation of sanctity
- impietyIrreverence toward the divine
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- godlessnessLack of belief
irreligion · defilement · unholy · impious · godless · heathen · infidel · ungodly
Scornful ridicule or travesty
- scoffingMocking with contempt
- contemptDisdainful disregard
- disdainScornful disregard
- derisionContemptuous mockery
disparagement · insolence · impertinence · defilement · violation · trampling · degradation · dishonor
Attacking revered traditions
- flippancyFrivolous lack of seriousness
- cheekinessLighthearted disrespect
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- satireMockery exposing vice
parody · sardonic · cynical · facetious · saucy · impertinent · disrespectful · cavalier
Crude or indecent
- obsceneGrossly offensive to decency
- indecentOffensive to accepted standards
- coarseRough in texture
- crudeUnpolished, raw state
foul · lewd · ribald · scurrilous · blasphemy · cursing · swearing · dirty
Not allowed
- prohibitedOfficially not permitted
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- verbotenProhibited by authority
- transgressionViolation of law or code
violation · profanation · unthinkable · unspeakable · untouchable · inviolable · interdicted · proscribed
heresy
Belief opposing official doctrine
- profanationViolation of sanctity
- impietyIrreverence toward the divine
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
godlessness · irreligion · defilement · unholy · impious · godless · heathen · infidel · ungodly · sinful
mockery
Scornful ridicule or travesty
derision · disparagement · insolence · impertinence · defilement · violation · trampling · degradation · dishonor · affront
iconoclasm
Attacking revered traditions
- flippancyFrivolous lack of seriousness
- cheekinessLighthearted disrespect
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
satire · parody · sardonic · cynical · facetious · saucy · impertinent · disrespectful · cavalier · glib
vulgar
Crude or indecent
crude · foul · lewd · ribald · scurrilous · blasphemy · cursing · swearing · dirty · filthy
forbidden
Not allowed
- prohibitedOfficially not permitted
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- verbotenProhibited by authority
transgression · violation · profanation · unthinkable · unspeakable · untouchable · inviolable · interdicted · proscribed · banned