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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
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Derived Forms

  • profanatory, adjective
  • ˈڲԱ, adverb
  • ˈڲԱ, noun
  • profanation, noun
  • ˈڲԱԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·ڲԱl adverb
  • ·ڲԱn noun
  • ·ڲİ noun
  • 󲹱-·ڲԱ adjective
  • ԴDzp·ڲԱ adjective
  • non·ڲԱl adverb
  • non·ڲԱn noun
  • i··ڲԱ adjective
  • semi··ڲԱl adverb
  • semi··ڲԱn noun
  • ܲp·ڲԱ adjective
  • un·ڲԱl adverb
  • un·ڲԱn noun
  • ܲp·ڲԱ adjective
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Word 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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of profane1

C15: from Latin ǴԳܲ outside the temple, from pro- 1+ Գܳ temple
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

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

To welcome the appellation of "b***h" is confounding on the face of it, since it was by and large recognized as a profane term of abuse.

From

The jokey, gleefully profane lyrics are stimulating in the moment but then quickly forgotten, like novelty songs in a clever college cabaret.

From

The series begins with Isla offering a more profane version of the oft-quoted Tolstoy observation that all happy families are alike, but each unhappy one is unhappy in its own way.

From

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profanatoryprofanity