sacred

sa·cred

adj \ˈsā-krəd\

Definition of SACRED

1

a : dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity <a tree sacred to the gods> b : devoted exclusively to one service or use (as of a person or purpose) <a fund sacred to charity>

2

a : worthy of religious veneration : holy b : entitled to reverence and respect

3

: of or relating to religion : not secular or profane <sacred music>

4

archaic : accursed

5

a : unassailable, inviolable b : highly valued and important <a sacred responsibility>

— sa·cred·ly adverb

— sa·cred·ness noun

Examples of SACRED

1. The burial site is sacred ground.
2. the sacred image of the Virgin Mary
3. the sacred pursuit of liberty
4. We have a sacred duty to find out the truth.
5. Freedom is a sacred right.
6. They'll make jokes about anything. Nothing is sacred to those guys.
7. I can't believe they would do that. Is nothing sacred?

Origin of SACRED

Middle English, from past participle of sacren to consecrate, from Anglo-French sacrer, from Latin sacrare, from sacr-, sacer sacred; akin to Latin sancire to make sacred, Hittite šaklāi- rite

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SACRED

Synonyms: hallowed, holy, inviolable, sacrosanct, unassailable, untouchable

Antonyms: nonreligious, profane, secular

Related Words: inviolate, pure; privileged, protected, secure, shielded; exempt, immune

Near Antonyms: blasphemous, irreverent, profane, sacrilegious

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary