sacrilegious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sacrilegious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or statements that show disrespect or irreverence towards something considered sacred or holy. Example: "The artist's latest work was deemed sacrilegious by many religious groups, sparking a heated debate about freedom of expression."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stealing one, contrary to what you might expect, is anything but sacrilegious.

Independent

In the eyes of these men and their supporters, inviting the institutional descendant of the F.L.N. to celebrate French nationhood is sacrilegious.

The New Yorker

For the sacrilegious academics who slipped away from academia, there are still opportunities to win: the economics prize went to the Italian government's National Institute of Statistics.

The Guardian

Is it really sacrilegious, they ask, especially now that the disappeared vultures have tolled the knell of the ancient, ordained system?

The Guardian

Northern Nigeria is home to a hydra-headed group calling itself Boko Haram ("Western education is sacrilegious") which has killed more than a thousand people, and now operates across half the country.

The Economist

A letter sent to Iran's customs offices informed staff that this "decedent Western custom" was a "sacrilegious cultural inroad from the domineering capitalist system with the aim of weakening the Iran's... fundamental family values".They have little time for moony merchandise.

The Economist

A signpost near the kangaroos, making the sacrilegious claim that the continents shifted 40m years ago, used to be defaced almost daily.

The Economist

Two decades later, plans to build a car park over the sacred tomb were hastily reconsidered after terrified city officials, not to mention repeated accidents, made the sacrilegious American occupying forces think twice.

The Economist

Facebook's policy of prohibiting hate speech was apparently in abeyance: drawings of pigs urinating on the Koran and worse were posted.The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) argued against the ban on the grounds that it would hurt the country's economy, but was overzealous in enforcing it: first Facebook, then YouTube, also for "sacrilegious" content, then another 450 sites.

The Economist

Eventually, in 1981, the party gave its explicit blessing to the "household responsibility system", as it called this once sacrilegious approach to farming.

The Economist

"We started as a small group of faithful who wanted nothing to do with politics," says a man calling himself Abdullah, who says he is a member of Boko Haram ("Western education is sacrilegious"), the group that claims responsibility for some but not all of the attacks.The original members were mostly ethnic Kanuri fishermen from Borno state, bordering Lake Chad, which is rapidly drying out.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sacrilegious", ensure the context clearly establishes what is considered sacred. This provides clarity and avoids misinterpretations of the severity of the action or statement.

Common error

Avoid using "sacrilegious" loosely to describe actions that are merely unconventional or disrespectful to secular norms. Reserve it for situations genuinely involving violation of something held as sacred.

Linguistic Context

The word "sacrilegious" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe actions, statements, or things that violate or disrespect something considered sacred. Ludwig provides examples where it describes claims, content, acts, or approaches, emphasizing its role in characterizing transgressions against the holy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

31%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "sacrilegious" is used to describe something violating or disrespecting what is considered sacred, primarily in contexts such as news reporting and encyclopedic descriptions. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. While primarily employed in religious contexts, the term can extend to secular areas where profound reverence is involved. Alternatives include "blasphemous" and "profane". Ensure precise usage by grounding it in a clear understanding of what constitutes the sacred element in the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blasphemous

Refers more directly to speech or behavior that insults or shows contempt for God or sacred things.

profane

Indicates something secular rather than religious; treating something sacred with irreverence or contempt.

irreverent

Lacking proper respect or seriousness.

impious

Lacking reverence for God or religious practices.

desecrating

Treating a sacred place or thing with violent disrespect; this is a verb form implying an action.

violating the sacred

A more descriptive phrase emphasizing the act of transgression against something held holy.

defiling

Spoiling or corrupting something, especially something considered pure or sacred.

heretical

Holding beliefs at odds with established religious doctrine.

mocking religion

Implies ridicule or scorn towards religious beliefs or practices.

treating with contempt

A general phrase for showing disdain or disrespect, which can be applied to sacred things.

FAQs

How can I use "sacrilegious" in a sentence?

You can use "sacrilegious" to describe actions or statements that show great disrespect towards something considered holy or inviolable. For example, "The vandalism of the church was considered a "sacrilegious" act by the community".

What words can I use instead of "sacrilegious"?

Alternatives to "sacrilegious" include "blasphemous", "profane", or "irreverent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sacrilegious" in a non-religious context?

While primarily used in religious contexts, "sacrilegious" can be used figuratively to describe violation of something deeply revered, but be mindful of potential overtones. Consider if alternatives like "disrespectful" or "offensive" might be more appropriate.

What makes something "sacrilegious"?

An act is considered "sacrilegious" when it violates or disrespects something that a particular group or individual holds sacred, whether it's a religious symbol, a tradition, or a deeply held belief.