has been defiled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been defiled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been made unclean, corrupted, or desecrated, often in a moral or spiritual context. Example: "The once sacred ground has been defiled by the actions of those who do not respect its history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In fact, defilement is a capital offence in cases where the victim has been infected with HIV/Aids virus or is very young and has been defiled by a relative ─ categorised as aggravated defilement.

The Guardian

John Barton may feel aggrieved that the purity of his texts has been defiled.

The Guardian

The resentment felt here is rooted in a belief that Iceland's core virtue of flinty self-reliance has been defiled by its bankers and foreign creditors.

The New York Times

Their work is the nurturing our humanity at the very moment it has been defiled.

Huffington Post

However, a beautiful thing that was started by the hippies has been defiled by the wookies.

Vice

O Lord, since first the blood of Abel cried to thee from the ground that drank it, this earth of thine has been defiled with the blood of humanity shed by the hands of sisters and brothers, and the centuries sob with the ceaseless horror of war.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And, little did I know, but many of them are aimed directly at Ben Lyons, who has been defiling 'the balcony' on a weekly basis as co-host of the new, not-improved At The Movies.

Huffington Post

He said there was no truth in the allegation that the Koran had been defiled.

The New York Times

A recent court ruling said that the statue, which was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth in 1998, had been defiled because it had been used in a commercial way, the Telegraph said.

Independent

At the end of that dark period, she was overjoyed, she said, to see it was the Gang of Four, a leftist political faction composed of four Communist Party officials who came to prominence during the Cultural Revolution, that had been defiled.

The New York Times - Arts

5 p.m. 1) HERITAGE HUNT Two and a half years ago, the city enacted a landmark law aimed at protecting the city's heritage districts, which have been defiled in recent decades by concrete block towers and other forces of modernization.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been defiled", ensure that the subject is something that can logically be considered sacred, pure, or of high value. Avoid using it for mundane or trivial matters, as it can sound hyperbolic.

Common error

Avoid using "has been defiled" in everyday situations. This phrase carries a strong connotation of desecration or corruption and is best reserved for situations where something genuinely sacred or highly valued has been violated. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been defiled" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject has undergone an action resulting in a state of impurity or desecration. Ludwig's examples show its application in contexts where something sacred, valued, or pure has been violated.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been defiled" is a passive voice construction used to describe something that has been made impure, corrupted, or desecrated. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science. It is relatively formal and carries a strong connotation of desecration or violation. When using "has been defiled", it is important to ensure the context is appropriate and that the subject is something that can logically be considered sacred, pure, or of high value. Alternatives such as "has been desecrated", "has been corrupted", and "has been tainted" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been desecrated

This alternative emphasizes the violation of something sacred or holy.

has been corrupted

This alternative highlights the loss of purity or integrity, often in a moral sense.

has been tainted

This alternative suggests a staining or contamination, affecting the original quality.

has been profaned

Similar to desecrated, this emphasizes disrespect and irreverence towards something sacred.

has been sullied

This alternative indicates that something has been stained or dishonored.

has been polluted

This suggests contamination, often in a physical or moral sense.

has been tarnished

This implies a loss of luster or reputation, affecting its perceived value.

has been violated

This alternative highlights a forceful transgression or infringement.

has been debased

This indicates a reduction in quality or value, often through immoral actions.

has been despoiled

This suggests something has been robbed or plundered of its value or beauty.

FAQs

What does "has been defiled" mean?

The phrase "has been defiled" means that something has been made impure, corrupted, or desecrated. It often implies a violation of something sacred or highly valued.

What can I say instead of "has been defiled"?

You can use alternatives like "has been desecrated", "has been corrupted", or "has been tainted" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "has been defiled"?

It's appropriate when describing something that was once considered sacred or pure and has now been violated or corrupted in some way. For example, "The ancient temple has been defiled by vandals."

Is "has been defiled" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase is relatively formal and carries a strong connotation, so it's generally used in more serious or literary contexts rather than casual conversation.