desecrate

/ˌdɛsəˈkreɪt/

/ˈdɛsɪkreɪt/

Other forms: desecrated; desecrating; desecrates

To desecrate means to treat a sacred place or thing with violent disrespect. The news sometimes reports on vandals who have desecrated tombstones or places of worship.

The word consecrate from the Latin consecrare means "to make sacred." Substituting the prefix con- with de- reverses the meaning. When preparing for a foreign occupation, the military instructs troops not to desecrate sacred sites and risk offending the local population. You can also desecrate someone's memory if you spread malicious lies about him after his death.

Definitions of desecrate

1. verb

   violate the sacred character of a place or language
   “desecrate a cemetery”

   synonyms: outrage, profane, violate

   type of:

   assail, assault, attack, set on

   attack someone physically or emotionally
2. verb

   remove the consecration from a person or an object
   synonyms: deconsecrate, unhallow

   antonyms:

   consecrate

   render holy by means of religious rites

   type of:

   change by reversal, reverse, turn

   change to the contrary