sacrilege

noun

sac·ri·lege ˈsa-krə-lij How to pronounce sacrilege (audio)

: a technical and not necessarily intrinsically outrageous violation (such as improper reception of a sacrament) of what is sacred because consecrated to God

: gross irreverence toward a hallowed person, place, or thing

Did you know?

Why is sacrilegious not spelled sacreligious?

Sacrilegious is often used in reference to religion, or to religious things, so it is easy to see why people might be confused by its spelling. However, sacrilegious and religious are not from the same roots. Religious comes from the Latin word religio (“reverence, religion”), whereas sacrilegious and the related noun sacrilege come from Latin roots meaning “sacred” (sacr-) and “to steal” (legere).

The earliest sense of sacrilege, in use since the beginning of the 14th century, was concerned with the theft, misuse, or desecration of sacred or holy things. It still is used in this sense quite often, but has also taken on a broader meaning, in which it refers to irreverence to a person, place, or thing which may or may not have religious significance.

Example Sentences

They accused him of committing a sacrilege. They accused him of sacrilege. an act of sacrilege against the church

Recent Examples on the Web But Rina Sawayama’s Hold the Girl, the second album from one of pop’s buzziest new figures, shows how sacrilege can be its own expression of soulfulness: a passionate quest to rewrite the rules you were raised with and find meaning within yourself.

Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2022 All the elements were in place: sadism, sacrilege, and nonstop profanity.

Chris Norris, SPIN, 13 Aug. 2022 Leaders in the Hopi tribe said last year that they weren’t consulted about the Coyotes’ kachina logo, which is a hit with fans, but sacrilege to ancient cultural, religious traditions.

Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 21 Apr. 2022 From the minute the trailer dropped, the Austenite gatekeepers were crying sacrilege, and sure, this will rankle lovers of the novel.

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 July 2022 Among the devout, none of the dog’s nine individual elements is unimportant, and any deviation amounts to sacrilege.

Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 3 July 2022 The way the presence of cameras breaks up the comfortable rhythm of live performance is almost sacrilege.

Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 May 2022 In football-crazy Texas, the sight of Rangers pitchers playing quarterback in the outfield before games was nothing short of sacrilege.

New York Times, 9 May 2022 Due to possible unexploded ordinance (the Navy once committed the sacrilege of holding bombing practice here), unaccompanied visitors are restricted to a relatively small chunk of island’s northeastern quadrant near the ranger station.

Shawnté Salabert, Outside Online, 23 June 2021 See More

单词	sacrilege
释义	sacrilege noun sac·ri·lege ˈsa-krə-lij 1 : a technical and not necessarily intrinsically outrageous violation (such as improper reception of a sacrament) of what is sacred because consecrated to God 2 : gross irreverence toward a hallowed person, place, or thing Did you know? Why is sacrilegious not spelled sacreligious? Sacrilegious is often used in reference to religion, or to religious things, so it is easy to see why people might be confused by its spelling. However, sacrilegious and religious are not from the same roots. Religious comes from the Latin word religio (“reverence, religion”), whereas sacrilegious and the related noun sacrilege come from Latin roots meaning “sacred” (sacr-) and “to steal” (legere). The earliest sense of sacrilege, in use since the beginning of the 14th century, was concerned with the theft, misuse, or desecration of sacred or holy things. It still is used in this sense quite often, but has also taken on a broader meaning, in which it refers to irreverence to a person, place, or thing which may or may not have religious significance. Synonyms blasphemy defilement desecration impiety irreverence profanation See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences They accused him of committing a sacrilege. They accused him of sacrilege. an act of sacrilege against the church Recent Examples on the Web But Rina Sawayama’s Hold the Girl, the second album from one of pop’s buzziest new figures, shows how sacrilege can be its own expression of soulfulness: a passionate quest to rewrite the rules you were raised with and find meaning within yourself. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2022 All the elements were in place: sadism, sacrilege, and nonstop profanity. Chris Norris, SPIN, 13 Aug. 2022 Leaders in the Hopi tribe said last year that they weren’t consulted about the Coyotes’ kachina logo, which is a hit with fans, but sacrilege to ancient cultural, religious traditions. Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 21 Apr. 2022 From the minute the trailer dropped, the Austenite gatekeepers were crying sacrilege, and sure, this will rankle lovers of the novel. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 July 2022 Among the devout, none of the dog’s nine individual elements is unimportant, and any deviation amounts to sacrilege. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 3 July 2022 The way the presence of cameras breaks up the comfortable rhythm of live performance is almost sacrilege. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 May 2022 In football-crazy Texas, the sight of Rangers pitchers playing quarterback in the outfield before games was nothing short of sacrilege. New York Times, 9 May 2022 Due to possible unexploded ordinance (the Navy once committed the sacrilege of holding bombing practice here), unaccompanied visitors are restricted to a relatively small chunk of island’s northeastern quadrant near the ranger station. Shawnté Salabert, Outside Online, 23 June 2021 See More Word History Etymology Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin sacrilegium, from sacrilegus one who robs sacred property, from sacr-, sacer + legere to gather, steal — more at legend First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 sacrilege noun as in blasphemy an act of great disrespect shown to God or to sacred ideas, people, or things spitting on the temple floor would be a great sacrilege Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance blasphemy desecration cursing profanation violation impiety irreverence insult affront corruption defilement swearing sin contamination pollution profanity trespass debasement Antonyms & Near Antonyms worship adoration reverence purification consecration glorification veneration sanctification See More
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sacrilege

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

noun