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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Relevance

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 Their philosophy, as WWD made note, is a fusion of sacred geometry, biomimicry and cutting-edge technology and remains in the hands of Gaby Asfour, Adi Gil and Angela Donhauser. — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 Prominent Israeli rabbis say visiting the sacred site is prohibited. — Ilan Ben Zion, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026 Today, Aitzhanova, who comes from a long lineage of artisans and felt masters, interprets Al Basty and other myths into pieces like the Bayur liver bag or a white wool coat inspired by the sacred swan of Kazakh legends, Aqqu. — Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026 If cash preservation is existential, every interesting experiment cannot remain sacred. — Alla Adam, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sacred

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sacred

Adjective

Under what was known as the Status Quo, a set of unwritten understandings between Israel and Jordan, the custodian of Jerusalem’s Muslim holy sites, Jews could visit the shrine, but only Muslims could worship there.

— Ilan Ben Zion, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026
Earlier on Saturday, the Houthies threatened new attacks on the kingdom's airports, except for the holy sites of Mecca and Medina, warning passengers not to travel.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of holy

Adjective

These bog bodies tell stories of a time when humans were sacrificed to the gods in bogs, as otherworldly margins between the human and divine realms, or when social outcasts met a cruel, violent end for failing to conform to societal standards.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
The temple, the largest in Aurora, was crowded Sunday with thousands observing the first day of Navaratri, a nine-night celebration of Shakti -- the divine feminine energy believed to be foundational to all creation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of divine

Adjective

Its accompanying music video, directed by longtime U2 collaborator Anton Corbijn, was filmed in the California desert and satirizes the band as a religious cult in which women do the heavy lifting.

— Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week Hasan’s execution would be livestreamed, eliciting pushback from Democrats, Republicans and religious advocates about the idea.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 15 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

There’s Haroon Mirza’s Stone Circle, commissioned by Ballroom Marfa, another venerable local institution.

— Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
The venerable broadcast network regained the league’s rights as part of an 11-year media deal, reviving the iconic theme song that accompanied NBA broadcasts from 1990 to 2002.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 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

Each work takes its cues from Vodou spiritual practices in Haiti that are grounded in their African roots.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Since those moments Birmingham has occupied a central space in the physical and spiritual lineage of America's Civil Rights Movement.

— Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of spiritual

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