desecrated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desecrated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of violating or disrespecting something sacred or holy. Example: "The ancient temple was desecrated by vandals who left graffiti on its walls."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is this possessed Inter team who [just] desecrated their front room".

The Guardian - Sport

Williams refers to the towers as "monstrous" and says they have "desecrated the village, which is in a conservation area.

The Guardian

This year more than 20 Jewish cemeteries have been desecrated.

The Economist

Speaking at a French Jewish cemetery desecrated a day after the shootings, President François Hollande rejected Mr Netanyahu's implication that Jews do not belong in Europe.

The Economist

"I am deeply outraged by a prank of a Gdansk Fine Arts Academy student whose pseudo-art desecrated the memory of 600,000 Soviet soldiers who died in the fight for Poland's freedom and independence," wrote Alexander Alekseev, the Russian envoy.

The Economist

Yet to be credible, those who condemn that slander must also condemn the hate we see when the image of Jesus Christ is desecrated, churches are destroyed, or the Holocaust is denied.

The Economist

President Nicolas Sarkozy hoped to secure last-ditch deals on climate change and economic stimulus measures, plus an Irish promise to hold a second referendum next year on the Lisbon treaty.Vandals desecrated some 500 graves of Muslim war veterans in northern France.

The Economist

In his eyes, the sacred land of Mecca and Medina was being desecrated.

The Economist

Serbia called the charter an illegal act.Vandals desecrated 148 Muslim graves at a French cemetery for soldiers who fought in the first world war.

The Economist

A movement that once prided itself on non-violence, and whose most inspiring marches were conducted in silence, seemed to be degenerating.In the days that followed, the authorities and their media allies depicted the opposition as thuggish nihilists who had desecrated Shia Islam's most solemn occasion.

The Economist

It surged to prominence in the late 1980s by campaigning to build a temple at Ayodhya, on the site of a 400-year-old mosque that desecrated, it said, the birthplace of the Hindu god, Lord Ram.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "desecrated", ensure the context clearly establishes the sacred or revered nature of what was violated to maximize the impact of the word.

Common error

Avoid using "desecrated" to describe actions that are merely disrespectful or damaging but do not involve something considered sacred or holy. Using it too broadly dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "desecrated" functions primarily as a verb, specifically the past tense and past participle of "desecrate". Ludwig AI indicates it's used to describe the action of violating something considered sacred or holy, as illustrated in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "desecrated" is a verb used to describe the violation or profanation of something sacred. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, especially in news and media and encyclopedic contexts. While maintaining a neutral to formal register, its primary function is to convey disapproval towards actions that violate deeply held religious or cultural values. To maximize its impact, "desecrated" should be used in contexts where the sacred nature of the violated entity is clearly established, avoiding overuse in non-sacred situations. Alternatives like "profaned", "violated", and "defiled" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profaned

Indicates a similar action of treating something sacred with disrespect.

violated

Focuses on the act of breaking or infringing upon the sanctity of something.

defiled

Suggests a more intense corruption or pollution of something sacred.

dishonored

Emphasizes the loss of respect or integrity.

despoiled

Highlights the act of plundering or looting, often in a sacred context.

contaminated

Suggests the introduction of something harmful or impure.

polluted

Emphasizes the act of making something dirty or impure, often spiritually.

blasphemed

Specifically refers to speaking irreverently about God or sacred things.

impugned

Implies challenging or attacking the integrity of something.

ransacked

Emphasizes a violent and thorough search or plundering that violates a sacred space.

FAQs

How is "desecrated" typically used in a sentence?

The word "desecrated" is typically used as a verb to describe the act of violating or disrespecting something sacred. For example, "The vandals "desecrated" the ancient temple."

What are some alternatives to the word "desecrated"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "profaned", "violated", or "defiled" as alternatives to "desecrated".

Is it correct to say something was "desecrated" if it was simply damaged but not sacred?

No, it's not accurate to use "desecrated" if something was merely damaged. The word specifically implies that something sacred or holy has been violated. Use a more general term like "damaged" or "vandalized" instead.

What is the difference between "desecrated" and "vandalized"?

"Vandalized" refers to the act of deliberately damaging or destroying property. "Desecrated", on the other hand, means to violate or profane something sacred. While vandalism might "desecrate" something, not all vandalism involves desecration.