sacrosanct

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sacrosanct" is correct and usable in written English.
It means something that is very sacred or highly respected and is not to be desecrated or violated. You can use it in situations where something is considered to be of utmost importance and is to be kept unaltered. Example sentence: The company placed a high value on protecting its customers' privacy, making it a sacrosanct rule.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mainstream Chinese society holds economic growth and social stability as sacrosanct, and many mainlanders wonder why a city which benefits tremendously from its mainland ties would turn on its most important benefactor.

The Guardian

"The lives of our fellow citizens are sacrosanct and that applies wherever they find themselves," said Senator Domenico Scilipoti Isgro' of Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia party.

The Guardian

The corporate tax rate, which remains a sacrosanct part of Irish industrial policy, has been so successful in wooing US investment that the country's neighbours across the border want it too.

The Guardian

Their faith defined their relationship with God, not a sacrosanct public identity.

The Guardian - Opinion

The report made 51 recommendations, the most notable of which was a "reinterpretation" of Australia's previously sacrosanct "stay or go" policy.

The Guardian

An obsession with protecting people's feelings has, over time, begun to trump other values, he says, "and if feelings are sacrosanct, then at the margins, the attacks on Charlie Hebdo are the end consequence.

The Guardian

This sense of preciousness has already infected the new studio building across the street, where students have been told not to affix anything to the gleaming white walls, in order to keep architect's "driven void" light-wells sacrosanct.

The Guardian - Arts

Redress requires, and therefore justifies, reasonable restrictions on otherwise sacrosanct liberal rights of free association.

The Economist

The monarchy's position remains sacrosanct, for now.Arguably, however, the flummeries of the court are largely irrelevant to an increasingly mobile and undeferential society.

The Economist

Farm subsidies are sacrosanct.

The New York Times

Dr Fox is not the only Conservative to regard defence of the realm as a sacrosanct, perhaps even resigning, issue.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sacrosanct" to describe principles, rights, or traditions that are deeply respected and considered unchangeable within a specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "sacrosanct" to describe trivial preferences or transient trends; it's reserved for concepts of significant and enduring importance.

Linguistic Context

The word "sacrosanct" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are considered inviolable or immune from violation. As indicated by Ludwig, its meaning aligns with something that is considered sacred or highly respected.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "sacrosanct" denotes something inviolable, highly revered, and protected from violation. As Ludwig AI affirms, its grammatical function is correct and effective in formal contexts. The examples illustrate its prevalence in news, business, and academic writing where it serves to emphasize the unassailable nature of principles, rights, or traditions. While alternatives exist, such as "inviolate" or "sacred", "sacrosanct" carries a particularly strong connotation of immunity from criticism or change. Therefore, it is important to employ this term judiciously, reserving it for truly fundamental and enduring concepts. Use "sacrosanct" to add weight and solemnity to the ideas being conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inviolate

Emphasizes the untouched or unbroken state of something.

inviolable

Highlights the impossibility of violating or infringing upon something.

sacred

Focuses on the religious or spiritual significance of something.

untouchable

Suggests that something is immune to interference or criticism.

immune to alteration

Specifically refers to the resistance to being changed or modified.

beyond reproach

Indicates that something is above criticism or blame.

not to be infringed

Explicitly states that something should not be violated or encroached upon.

protected

Highlights the state of being defended or shielded from harm or change.

unassailable

Emphasizes the invulnerability and impossibility of attacking something.

unbreakable

Focuses on the inability to be broken, either literally or figuratively.

FAQs

How is "sacrosanct" typically used in a sentence?

The term "sacrosanct" is generally used to describe something that is considered inviolable or immune from criticism. For example, "The right to free speech is often considered a "sacrosanct" principle in many democracies."

What are some alternatives to the word "sacrosanct"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "inviolable", "inviolate", or "sacred" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "sacrosanct" in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "sacrosanct" is more commonly used in formal or serious contexts due to its strong connotation of reverence and inviolability. Simpler words might be more appropriate for informal conversation.

What distinguishes "sacrosanct" from simply "important" or "valuable"?

"Sacrosanct" implies a level of protection and respect far beyond mere importance or value. It suggests that something is so fundamental that it must not be questioned, altered, or violated, unlike things that are simply important but open to discussion or change.