desecration

[ des-i-krey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of treating something sacred or solemn in a sacrilegious or disrespectful way:

   Many locals opposed the use of their former church building as a courthouse, feeling that conducting civil matters there would be a desecration of a holy place.

2. the act of ruining or violating something revered or greatly valued:

   Greedy corporations are contributing to the demise of civilization and the desecration of the ecosystem.

Other Words From

• non·des·e·cra·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of desecration¹

desecr(ate) + -ation ( def )

Example Sentences

Gibson said it’s disturbing to see hikers post photos of tribal artifacts they brought home from the Owyhees, or people driving dirt bikes in sacred places, calling it a “desecration.”

From Seattle Times

Native Hawaiians have strongly objected to adding an enormous telescope to the many on Manua Kea, the TMT’s preferred site, regarding it as a further desecration of a sacred place.

From Science Magazine

The construction work at the plaza resulted in the “desecration” of more than 100 graves, the suit states.

From Los Angeles Times

The desecrations were not related to the music event.

From Seattle Times

Russia has laws criminalizing the “rehabilitation of Nazism” that include punishing the “desecration” of war memorials.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• blasphemy