Word
desecrated
Phoneticsdes·e·crat·ed, stress on the third syllable
US/dɛsəˈkɹeɪtɪd/
UK/dˈɛsɪkɹˌeɪtɪd/
Definition
v. to damage or show great disrespect for something holy or deeply respected, like a grave, church, or memorial.
v. past tense and past participle of 'desecrate'; to treat a sacred place, object, or memory with contempt, typically by damaging or violating it.
Examples
“The chapel looks desecrated after the attack.”
“The community was shocked to find that vandals had desecrated the historic cemetery overnight.”
“After the war, returning villagers found their desecrated shrine covered in graffiti, a painful reminder of the violence that had swept through the valley.”
Examples
simple
“The chapel looks desecrated after the attack.”
contextual
“The community was shocked to find that vandals had desecrated the historic cemetery overnight.”
complex
“After the war, returning villagers found their desecrated shrine covered in graffiti, a painful reminder of the violence that had swept through the valley.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “desecrated” in context.
Verb
01. desecrate church
“The mob stormed in and desecrated the church, smashing altars and icons.”
verb + noun
02. desecrate grave
“Vandals broke in overnight and desecrated several graves in the old cemetery.”
verb + noun
03. desecrate memorial
“Officials condemned those who desecrated the war memorial with spray paint.”
verb + noun
04. desecrate shrine
“Militants threatened to desecrate the shrine revered by millions of pilgrims.”
verb + noun
05. desecrate with graffiti
“The teenagers desecrated the synagogue with graffiti and were arrested.”
verb + prep + noun
06. soldier desecrate
“A soldier who desecrated a corpse was court-martialled and discharged.”
noun + verb
Adjective
07. deliberately desecrate
“The invaders deliberately desecrated the temple to demoralize the population.”
adv + verb
Noun
08. desecrated cemetery
“The community gathered to restore the desecrated cemetery after the attack.”
adj + noun
09. desecrated tomb
“Police sealed off the desecrated tomb to collect forensic evidence.”
adj + noun
10. deliberately desecrate a grave
“He was jailed for deliberately desecrating a grave in the village churchyard.”
11. desecrate a place of worship
“Desecrating a place of worship is treated as a hate crime in many countries.”
12. leave a shrine desecrated
“The raiders left the shrine desecrated, with sacred texts torn and scattered.”
Usage
Transitive; takes a direct object, often a sacred place or object.
Real-World Examples
“In 1983, for example, attackers desecrated a temple outside Pittsburgh, smashing sacred images and scrawling “Leave” on the temple altar.” “A Catholic church has been "desecrated" for a second time after a man lit fires and left satanic images at the altar, the diocese said.” “A war memorial at a Northumberland School which was desecrated by thieves earlier this year has been rededicated following restoration.” “Tributes to the Royal Highland Fusiliers at White Brae, Ligoniel and at Ballysillan in Belfast have been desecrated 27 times since 2010.” Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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