English Explanatory Dictionary

sacrilege

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Desecration, profanation, misuse or violation of something regarded as sacred.

Pronunciation

/ˈsækɹɪlɪd͡ʒ/ /ˈsækɹəlɪd͡ʒ/ En-us-sacrilege.ogg

Word forms

sacrilege sacrileges sacriledge

Etymology

Circa 1300, original sense “stealing something sacred”. From Middle English sacrilege, from Old French sacrilege, from Latin sacrilegium, from sacrilegus (“sacrilegious”). Sense of “profanation” from late 14th century.

Synonyms

blasphemy desecration profanation sacrilege

Antonyms

adoration reverence veneration worship

Related words

impiety profaneness corruption

Derived words

sacrileger sacrilegious sacrilegist
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