51Թ

Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

profane

[pruh-feyn, proh-]

adjective

  1. characterized by irreverence or contempt for God or sacred principles or things; irreligious.

    Synonyms: , , ,
    Antonyms:
  2. not devoted to holy or religious purposes; unconsecrated; secular (sacred ).

    Synonyms:
    Antonyms:
  3. unholy; heathen; pagan.

    profane rites.

    Synonyms:
    Antonyms:
  4. not initiated into religious rites or mysteries, as persons.

  5. common or vulgar.

    Synonyms: , ,


verb (used with object)

profaned, profaning 
  1. to misuse (anything that should be held in reverence or respect); employ basely or unworthily; defile; debase.

  2. to treat (anything sacred) with irreverence or contempt; violate the sanctity of.

    to profane a shrine.

    Synonyms:

profane

/ ˌprɒfəˈneɪʃən, -trɪ, prəˈfænətərɪ, prəˈfeɪn /

adjective

  1. having or indicating contempt, irreverence, or disrespect for a divinity or something sacred

  2. not designed or used for religious purposes; secular

  3. not initiated into the inner mysteries or sacred rites

  4. vulgar, coarse, or blasphemous

    profane language

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to treat or use (something sacred) with irreverence

  2. to put to an unworthy or improper use

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other 51Թ Forms

  • profanely adverb
  • profaneness noun
  • profaner noun
  • half-profane adjective
  • nonprofane adjective
  • nonprofanely adverb
  • nonprofaneness noun
  • semiprofane adjective
  • semiprofanely adverb
  • semiprofaneness noun
  • unprofane adjective
  • unprofanely adverb
  • unprofaneness noun
  • unprofaned adjective
  • profanatory adjective
  • ˈڲԱ adverb
  • ˈڲԱ noun
  • profanation noun
  • ˈڲԱԱ noun
Discover More

51Թ History and Origins

Origin of profane1

1350–1400; (adj.) < Latin ǴԳܲ literally, before (outside of ) the temple; replacing Middle English prophane < Medieval Latin DZԳܲ desecrated ( pro- 1, fane ); (v.) < Latin Ǵ, derivative of ǴԳܲ; replacing Middle English prophanen < Medieval Latin DZ to desecrate
Discover More

51Թ History and Origins

Origin of profane1

C15: from Latin ǴԳܲ outside the temple, from pro- 1 + Գܳ temple
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"They keep spreading with no scrutiny the profane lies of Hamas."

From

Workers were spotted Tuesday morning installing plywood over broken windows and scrubbing at graffiti — primarily profane attacks aimed at President Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

From

The language of the play moves freely from the declamatory to the profane, with some of its funniest moments occurring when fury impels a character to unleash some naughty modern vernacular.

From

But for the most part this typically assured performance was about the hits — crafty, passionate, sometimes profane — on which Green Day’s enduring popularity was built.

From

An opera disguised as an oratorio to get around the church’s ban on profane opera, the impolitic work about past and present is formed as the conflict between extravagance and sanctity.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


profanatoryprofanity