What does sacrilegious mean?
Sacrilegious describes conduct, attitudes, or statements that show contempt for sacred things, religious beliefs, or deeply respected traditions. The term is especially associated with the desecration of religious objects, places, rituals, or texts, and it often carries a strong moral judgment that an act is both profoundly disrespectful and unacceptable. In ordinary use, it may be extended beyond religion to describe the careless destruction or mockery of something held in high esteem, such as a war memorial or a culturally important site. The related noun sacrilege denotes the violation itself. Because sacrilegious is emotionally forceful rather than neutral, writers generally reserve it for especially grave affronts to sacred or revered values.
adjectiveShowing disrespect toward something sacred or treating sacred things irreverently. It can also describe an act that violates or profanes something held sacred.
- Showing disrespect, disregard, or contempt for sacred things, religious beliefs, or institutions.
- An act or behavior that violates, desecrates, or profanes what is regarded as sacred.
"The museum called the deliberate damage to the ancient shrine a sacrilegious act of vandalism."
"The prosecutor described the burning of the religious text as a sacrilegious act."
"Her sacrilegious remarks about the ceremony offended members of the congregation."
Calling an act sacrilegious says not merely that it is wrong, but that it profanes something sacred.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sacrilegious come from?
The word comes from Latin sacrilegus, meaning “one who steals sacred things,” and ultimately from sacrum, “sacred,” together with legere, an etymological element associated with picking up or gathering. English borrowed the term through Old French sacrilege, which derived from Latin sacrilegium. The modern adjective was formed in English from that inherited base.
Related word forms
How sacrilegious is actually used
The word is strongly evaluative and usually implies a serious violation of religious or cultural values. It is more common in formal, religious, legal, and cultural contexts than in everyday description.
Easily confused with sacrilegious
Sacrilegious describes an attitude or act that shows disrespect for sacred things, whereas sacrilege names the violation or offending act itself.