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 Native American tribes say the approximately 520-acre site in Virginia is sacred. — Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2026 Aiming to protect what’s left of its buildings and monuments is a converted Volkswagen Crafter—the ARK III, a mobile 3D-scanning lab that creates digital twins of sacred and historical structures for future restoration. — Chris Stokel-Walker, Time, 15 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 See All Example Sentences for sacred

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sacred

Adjective

The Egyptian presidency said Cairo was prepared to provide Saudi Arabia with necessary support to defend its security, stability, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
The holy man was eventually burned at the stake as a heretic.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of holy

Adjective

My room was divine—a study in white on white on cream on winter white.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Recognizing this divine reality even a little, brings tangible, healing comfort to anyone who opens up their heart to it.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of divine

Adjective

However, its point of greatest eclipse occurs just a few miles from Thebes, the magnificent religious and political capital of ancient Egypt's Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Maryland's Freedom to Read Act states that material cannot be removed from school libraries based on political, religious or personal views.

— Tara Lynch, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of religious

Adjective

Word of her ouster leaked before the executive had the chance to address most of her internal teams — an announcement dovetailed with news of her incoming replacement, the venerated film and TV executive Peter Rice.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of venerated

Adjective

Executive produced by Flanagan and King, Carrie is the second Prime Video series based on MGM/UA IP to launch after Amazon MGM Studios had made exploiting the venerable studio’s library a priority following the 2022 acquisition.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
There’s Haroon Mirza’s Stone Circle, commissioned by Ballroom Marfa, another venerable local institution.

— Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of venerable

Adjective

The delectable dip paired with the sugary chips was a heavenly combination, with a surprising burst of chocolate in every scoop.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of heavenly

Adjective

Crowley said Aiwass dictated to him the Book of the Law, which became the scripture for Crowley's new spiritual philosophy of Thelema.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
These spiritual beings are nothing if not preoccupied with the state of material things, such as the temperature of the wine, for example.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 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