SACRED Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

sacred

adjective

ˈsā-krəd

Definition of sacred

as in holy

not to be violated, criticized, or tampered with the sacred trust that exists between elected officials and the electorate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in divine

of, relating to, or being God a sacred name that must not be uttered in vain

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as in religious

of, relating to, or used in the practice or worship services of a religion a sacred chalice

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as in venerated

set apart or worthy of veneration by association with God the sacred bones of a saint

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as in venerable

deserving honor and respect especially by reason of age the alumni procession at graduation is one of the college's most sacred traditions, dating back over a hundred years

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of sacred By the time of the witch trial, the sacred building stood stripped of its roofing and outer masonry—a fleshless skeleton; its giant west window glassless, miming a stone scream. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 The sanctuary may have been an ambulatory temple, with a central sacred chamber surrounded by a covered walkway. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 28 Sep. 2026 The job of protecting the world’s most sacred cheerleader fell to her father, Noah (or HRG), played by Jack Coleman. — Megan Vick, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026 For safe-keeping, the flag is displayed in very low light, giving the chamber a sacred feel, like a cathedral crypt. — Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sacred

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sacred

Adjective

Groff’s writing is always transcendent, and her prose is especially on display in Matrix’s passages of holy visions, bodily lust, and political power.

— James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
Gifting the roses to holy shrines, images or basilicas separates them from any suggestion of political and religious alliance or favoritism.

— Joëlle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of holy

Adjective

But to conservative Christian critics, even the possibility of portraying a divine Christ figure as anything but male goes beyond artistic license.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
In mid-September, Oprah posted an Instagram reel wearing the most divine sweater, which combined a fisherman knit with delicate lace trim.

— Annie Blackman, InStyle, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of divine

Adjective

Jones forced his religious and political views onto Levy throughout their relationship, according to prosecutors.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
One of the newly unemployed is Olivia Siffre (Rachel Keller), a fledgling lawyer who recently moved to California to get away from her hovering, hyper-religious parents.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of religious

Adjective

The venerated Oscar-winning, 88-year-old actress and activist wore a long-sleeve maxidress with twisted fabric at the base of the neckline and allover sparkle embellished into the fabric.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
The site remains a venerated Buddhist shrine used for local worship.

— Jack Tydeman, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026

Definition of venerated

Adjective

As for the plane in question, this is a variant of the venerable F-16 and is a heavily modernized version featuring, among other features, APG-83 Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
But the venerable Atlas V is out of production and on the road to retirement, so Starliner-5 and Starliner-6 will have a different rocket ride — ULA's new Vulcan Centaur.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of venerable

Adjective

The duo think they’re headed to the heavenly afterlife only to arrive at the office of the Devil (voiced by Culkin), who seems overwhelmed by his job.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
To qualify for beatification, the Vatican normally requires one miracle attributable to the faithful seeking the candidate's heavenly prayers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of heavenly

Adjective

Along with the album, U2 released two surprise EPs this year, Days of Ash and Easter Lily, that turn out to be conceptually linked to the new album via the liturgical calendar, with carnival preceding Lent and Easter.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026
For seventeen years, graduation season had carried a liturgical cadence for him.

— Benjamin Wofford, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026