WordDream · Your AI dictionary

sacrilegious

English → EnglishformalInstant · from the shared dictionary
Illustration of "sacrilegious": Sacrilegious describes an action, speech, or attitude that treats something held sacred or holy with

What does "sacrilegious" mean?

Sacrilegious describes an action, speech, or attitude that treats something held sacred or holy with great disrespect. Imagine someone walking into a place of worship and intentionally mocking its traditions or damaging its artifacts; that act is the epitome of being sacrilegious. In usage, it is a strong, weighted word that carries a sense of moral outrage or deep offense. While it is rooted in religious contexts, it is frequently used metaphorically in casual conversation to describe someone violating a deeply held cultural or personal belief, such as putting pineapple on pizza or misquoting a classic film.

"sacrilegious" in conversation

Debating food preferences

I honestly think the best way to eat a croissant is to dip it in ketchup.

I honestly think the best way to eat a croissant is to dip it in ketchup.

That is absolutely sacrilegious! You're ruining a perfectly good pastry.

That is absolutely sacrilegious! You're ruining a perfectly good pastry.

Used here to describe a culinary offense.

Discussing a book adaptation

Did you see the new movie version of the book?

Did you see the new movie version of the book?

Don't get me started. They changed the ending entirely; it felt sacrilegious to the original story.

Don't get me started. They changed the ending entirely; it felt sacrilegious to the original story.

Used here to describe a disrespectful change to a beloved work.

"sacrilegious" in a sentence

  1. Burning a holy book is a sacrilegious act.

    Burning a holy book is a sacrilegious act.

  2. Some fans felt it was sacrilegious to rewrite the author's final chapter.

    Some fans felt it was sacrilegious to rewrite the author's final chapter.

  3. The protesters were accused of sacrilegious behavior for their disruptive demonstration inside the cathedral.

    The protesters were accused of sacrilegious behavior for their disruptive demonstration inside the cathedral.

Not another dictionary

An AI-native multilingual dictionary: decode the words other dictionaries can't handle.

WordDream explains every word the way a teacher would, with real-life scenes, graded examples, audio and a picture. It also covers what traditional dictionaries miss: names, places, proper nouns, internet slang, and words that don't translate.

And it isn't just English. Look up words in any language, keep a multilingual Notebook, and turn your saved words into stories with Spin a yarn.

Try WordDream: Look up a wordOpen “sacrilegious” in WordDream

Free account · sign in to use features

More everyday & curious words

Browse the whole set in Everyday & Curious Words.

Explained by WordDream, an AI-native multilingual dictionary.