desecrate

[ des-i-kreyt ]
/ ˈdɛs ɪˌkreɪt /

verb (used with object), des·e·crat·ed, des·e·crat·ing.

to divest of sacred or hallowed character or office.
to divert from a sacred to a profane use or purpose.
to treat with sacrilege; profane.

Origin of desecrate

1665–75; de- + -secrate, modeled on consecrate

OTHER WORDS FROM desecrate

des·e·crat·er, des·e·cra·tor, noun des·e·cra·tion, noun non·des·e·cra·tion, noun un·des·e·crat·ed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for desecration

British Dictionary definitions for desecration

desecrate
/ (ˈdɛsɪˌkreɪt) /

verb (tr)

to violate or outrage the sacred character of (an object or place) by destructive, blasphemous, or sacrilegious action
to remove the consecration from (a person, object, building, etc); deconsecrate

Derived forms of desecrate

desecrator or desecrater, noun desecration, noun

Word Origin for desecrate

C17: from de- + consecrate