desecrate

What does “desecrate” mean?

verb.to treat (a sacred place or thing) with violent disrespect; to profane.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in passages discussing themes of cultural heritage, morality, or the consequences of disrespecting traditions. It emphasizes a deliberate violation of something revered, contrasting with terms like "vandalize," which may lack the same connotation of moral outrage associated with the violation of sacredness.

Common Confusions

Desecrate implies a deliberate violation of something sacred, while vandalize usually suggests a general act of damage without the same moral outrage or connection to sacredness.

Example Sentences

• Vandals desecrated the historic monument with graffiti.

• The committee needed to desecrate the proposal before making a final decision.

Word Parts: How to Remember “desecrate”

Break “desecrate” into its parts: de- (down, away, un-) + -sanct- (holy, sacred). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: de- down, away, un- (Latin)
• Root: -sanct- holy, sacred (Latin)