profanation

noun

ˌprä-fə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce profanation (audio)
Definition of profanationnext
as in sacrilege
an act of great disrespect shown to God or to sacred ideas, people, or things the First Book of the Maccabees tells of the profanation of the temple of Jerusalem by Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 167 b.c.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of profanation No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move; ’Twere profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love. — John Edgar Wideman, The New Yorker, 8 July 2021 The first assault is on the Nile itself, which is turned to blood, thereby ruining both agriculture and aquaculture in one swoop, a profanation with religious consequences. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 28 Nov. 2019 His family has argued that the exhumation would amount to profanation of a burial site, and said the only alternative resting place for Franco should be inside the crypt of the Madrid cathedral, a suggestion that the government found unacceptable. — Raphael Minder, New York Times, 4 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profanation
  1. sacrilege
  2. desecration
  3. blasphemy
  4. violation
  5. impiety
  6. corruption
  7. irreverence
Noun
  • Such a transformation would represent an irrevocable loss: a profound sacrilege not only to the city’s rich history but also to the cultural legacy for the future generations.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 Feb. 2025
  • For many liberals and radicals, beginning with Lord Byron, Elgin was a vandal who had committed sacrilege.
    — Ralph Leonard, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025
Definition of sacrilege
Noun
  • Simply put, their acts are a desecration of the pursuit of knowledge.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • To Michael Hirsch, the desecration of hundreds of graves was a shanda, a shame, a ghoulish crime.
    — Maria Cramer, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
Definition of desecration
Noun
  • Arguments and accusations of blasphemy regarding teaching yoga sutras rather than Bible scripture are rife within the Black yoga community.
    — Tamika Caston-Miller, Outside Online, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Throughout its engagement with the OIC, the special envoy has prioritized the protection of human rights, routinely championing the equal rights of religious minorities and opposing laws that criminalize blasphemy and apostasy.
    — Arsalan Suleman, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2017
Definition of blasphemy
Noun
  • Our goal every game is to force our opponents have a shot clock violation (90 seconds).
    — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants that Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) inspected for Feb. 23th - March 8th, 2025.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of violation
Noun
  • By one hand, he is bound to himself, to his impiety, his recklessness, his envy and pride, his guilt and spite.
    — Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Clouzot supplied that insight in strong visual terms: Fresnay’s conflicting impiety and righteous anger and so much dissatisfaction and panic among the townsfolk.
    — Armond White, National Review, 20 Nov. 2024
Definition of impiety
Noun
  • But Bondi is also overseeing cuts within her building, including to the Public Integrity Section that takes on corruption cases against public officials, according to multiple media reports and confirmed by a former Justice Department official.
    — David Catanese, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Compassionate Release of Nick Bovis Nick Bovis, a former San Francisco restaurateur, pleaded guilty to Honest Services and Insurance Wire Fraud in a political corruption case.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • The interplay between elegance and irreverence, refinement and boldness, comes to life in pieces that embody a conscious femininity.
    — Felicity Carter, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • These fresh takes on the traditional Japanese drinking tavern still specialize in small, shareable dishes, but do so with a notable irreverence.
    — Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025
Definition of irreverence

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Cite this Entry

“Profanation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profanation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about profanation

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