sacrilege
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
The act of violating or disrespecting something considered sacred or holy.
Gross disrespect towards any idea, custom, or principle regarded as inviolable or worthy of reverence.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. Implies a profound, shocking violation of sanctity, not mere casual disrespect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or pronunciation differences. Usage and concept are identical.
Connotations
Equally strong in both varieties, tied to religious/secular notions of the sacred.
Frequency
Slightly more common in writing and formal speech than in everyday conversation in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
It is sacrilege to + VERB (e.g., It is sacrilege to alter the original text.)to commit sacrilege against + NOUNConsider + NOUN/VERB-ing + sacrilegeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It would be sacrilege to... (used to express strong disapproval of a proposed action against something revered)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. May be used metaphorically: 'Selling the company's founding document would be corporate sacrilege.'
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, art criticism to discuss violations of sacred norms or texts.
Everyday
Used hyperbolically for strongly disapproved actions: 'Putting ketchup on a fine steak is sacrilege!'
Technical
Specific theological/legal term for a crime against sacred property or rites.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The vandals attempted to sacrilege the ancient altar. (RARE/ARCHAIC)
American English
- (No standard modern verb form; 'desecrate' is used.)
adverb
British English
- The monument was sacrilegiously defaced with graffiti.
American English
- They sacrilegiously used the historic treaty as a placemat.
adjective
British English
- He was accused of sacrilegious behaviour for filming inside the chapel.
American English
- Critics called the modernised remake a sacrilegious interpretation of the classic film.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Many fans felt it was sacrilege to change the football team's famous old logo.
- The restoration project was careful not to commit sacrilege against the building's original architecture.
- To scholars of medieval law, the deliberate destruction of the manuscript constituted an act of both cultural vandalism and sacrilege.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SACRed + piLAGE (like plunder). Plundering what is sacred = SACRILEGE.
Conceptual Metaphor
SACRED IS A PHYSICAL SPACE/OBJECT (violating it is trespass/damage).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'святотатство' which is a direct equivalent, but English 'sacrilege' is used more widely in secular contexts. 'Богохульство' is closer to 'blasphemy' (spoken/written).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'sacrelige' (incorrect). Confusing with 'sacrament' or 'sacred'. Using as a verb (no common verb form; use 'commit sacrilege' or 'desecrate').
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario best illustrates the concept of 'sacrilege'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its origin and core meaning are religious, it is commonly used in secular contexts to mean a shocking disrespect for anything deeply revered (e.g., tradition, art, a national symbol).
Sacrilege typically involves a physical act against a sacred object, place, or person. Blasphemy involves spoken or written words (or thoughts) that show contempt for God or sacred things.
Yes, often in informal, hyperbolic speech (e.g., 'It's sacrilege to put ice in that whisky!'). The tone and context indicate the speaker is not referring to actual religious violation.
Not in standard modern use. The archaic verb 'sacrilege' is obsolete. Use 'commit sacrilege', 'desecrate', 'profane', or 'violate' instead.