deconsecrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deconsecrate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of removing the sacred status from a place or object, often in a religious context. Example: "The church was deconsecrated after it was no longer used for worship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A similar case last year in disputed waters sparked a diplomatic confrontation, but China called this incident a "regular fishery case" and accepted Tokyo's handling of it.In New Zealand a ceremony was held to deconsecrate Christchurch cathedral.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

She could not have been killed had she not first been deconsecrated, and she had unwittingly colluded in her own deconsecration by asserting her divine right to the one privilege no deified being can exercise with impunity.

The New Yorker

Still, the best new plays are to be found on the Fringe, usually in the Traverse Theatre, such as the highly praised "Perfect Days" by the Glasgow poet, Lez Lockhead.In this section Deconsecrating Gandhi Giving back his youth Dean of satire As good as it gets ReprintsAt festival time, Edinburgh would be worth a visit for the art exhibitions alone.

The Economist

IN THE deconsecrated church of Saint-Esprit, jugglers toss fluorescent orange clubs in front of the former altar, trapeze artists soar under the gaze of stone saints and wobbly unicyclists use two lines of repurposed pews as handrails.

The Economist

Some of that writing is celebratory or defiant; much of it finds fault with the founders, and some looks wistfully back to an age of relative innocence and wonders how it can be relived.In this section Deconsecrating Gandhi Giving back his youth Dean of satire As good as it gets ReprintsIconoclasm is one of the more fashionable voices.

The Economist

It thrusts Wordsworth back into the confusing, gritty and dangerous political and social culture of Europe in the age of the French revolution and the Napoleonic wars.In this section Deconsecrating Gandhi Giving back his youth Dean of satire As good as it gets ReprintsIf anyone is responsible for the dulling-down of Wordsworth's reputation it must in the end be the poet himself.

The Economist

When a Muslim purposes to visit the holy city of Mecca at the time of the major pilgrimage (ḥajj), he enters on a state of consecration and robes himself in two white seamless garments (iḥrām), which may not be exchanged for normal dress until he deconsecrates himself after the conclusion of the pilgrimage ceremonies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Church of Saint-Philibert, close by, now deconsecrated, has a 12th-century nave.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today it is deconsecrated, but the past battles are reflected in the art – paintings of Christ and the Virgin Mary hang cheek-by-jowl with cartwheel-size wooden circles bearing angry scribbles of Islamic scripture.

Independent

Once inside the (deconsecrated) church, mourners danced in the aisles to the deceased's version of the Max Bygraves hit "You Need Hands" in front of a floral tribute spelling out one of McLaren's slogans, "Cash from Chaos".

Independent

For his Philadelphia engagement, Bell had been booked into the Baptist Temple — which, he discovered, with some relief, had been deconsecrated and turned into a performing-arts center.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deconsecrate", ensure the context clearly indicates the prior sacred status of the object or place. For instance, specify if it was a church or temple.

Common error

Avoid using "deconsecrate" when "desecrate" is more appropriate. "Desecrate" implies disrespect and violation of something sacred, while "deconsecrate" simply means removing its sacred status without necessarily implying disrespect.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deconsecrate" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of removing the sacred status from something. Ludwig shows its use primarily in contexts involving religious buildings and objects.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "deconsecrate" is a verb that means to remove the consecration from something, typically a religious building or object. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct, but relatively rare in modern usage. It's important to distinguish it from "desecrate", which implies a disrespectful violation. Contexts where you might use "deconsecrate" include discussing the repurposing of old churches or the formal abandonment of sacred sites. The most common sources using the term are news outlets and encyclopedias, reflecting its role in factual reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove the consecration

Directly states the action of taking away the state of being consecrated.

take away its sacredness

To deprive something of its holy attribute.

desecrate

Implies a disrespectful defilement of something sacred, not just the removal of its consecration.

unhallow

Means to make unholy or profane, similar to "deconsecrate" but less common.

profane

To treat something sacred with irreverence or contempt.

secularize

To remove religious influence or control from something, making it non-religious.

unsanctify

To remove the quality of being holy or sacred from something.

divest of sanctity

Explicitly states the removal of sacredness.

declare no longer sacred

Formally announcing the end of something's sacred status.

make secular

Transforming something religious into something non-religious.

FAQs

What does it mean to "deconsecrate" something?

To "deconsecrate" means to officially remove the sacred or holy status from something, such as a church or temple. It essentially reverses the act of consecration.

When might a building be "deconsecrated"?

A building might be "deconsecrated" if it is no longer used for religious purposes, is structurally unsound, or is being repurposed for secular use.

Is "desecrate" the same as "deconsecrate"?

No, "desecrate" and "deconsecrate" have different meanings. "Desecrate" implies violating or profaning something sacred, while "deconsecrate" simply means removing its sacred status. You can also use "unhallow" as a more literal alternative.

What are some synonyms for "deconsecrate"?

Synonyms for "deconsecrate" include "secularize", "unsanctify", and remove the consecration. However, the best alternative will depend on the specific context.