What does desecrating mean?
"Desecrating" is the present participle of the verb "desecrate," meaning to violate or treat with violent disrespect something that is sacred or deeply revered — a church, cemetery, national flag, war memorial, or even an abstract ideal. The word comes from the Latin desecrare, formed from de- ("removing") and sacrum ("sacred"), so it literally means to strip away holiness. It is a formal, strongly condemnatory term: journalists use it for vandalism of monuments, courts for crimes against graves and bodies, and writers more broadly for acts seen as degrading cherished values. Because it presupposes that the object was once held sacred, it cannot apply to ordinary property. Related forms include "desecrate," "desecration," and "desecrator." Its near-opposite, "consecrate," shares the same Latin root but points in the opposite direction.
To treat a sacred place, object, or symbol with violent disrespect; to violate its sanctity.
"They were charged with desecrating the historic cemetery overnight."
Often used in legal and journalistic registers, especially regarding graves, corpses, flags, and monuments.
(Figuratively) To degrade or debase something regarded as worthy of profound respect.
"Critics accused the developers of desecrating a beloved landscape."
Extended, non-religious usage; still implies the thing was previously held in high regard.
The word literally means to 'un-hallow' something — English built it by bolting a negative prefix onto the same root that gives us 'sacred' and 'sacrifice.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of desecrating
"Desecrating" derives from the verb "desecrate," which entered English in the 17th century from the Latin desecrare, combining de- (expressing removal or reversal) with sacrare ("to make sacred"), itself rooted in sacer, "sacred." The same root sacer underlies a whole family of English words, including "sacred," "sacrifice," "consecrate," and "sacrament." While "consecrate" preserves the original sense of rendering holy, "desecrate" inverts it, describing the violation or unmaking of that holiness.
Related word forms
How desecrating is actually used
"Desecrating" carries strongly negative connotation and is typically used in formal, legal, journalistic, or moral contexts. It implies prior sanctity — one cannot desecrate something that was never held sacred. In many jurisdictions, desecrating graves, corpses, or national symbols is a criminal offense.
Easily confused with desecrating
Consecrating means making something sacred, while desecrating means destroying its sacredness — they are near-opposites that share a Latin root.