Defile and Profane

Defile

Defile verb - To treat (a sacred place or object) shamefully or with great disrespect.
Usage example: art conservators were careful not to do anything that might defile the holy relic

Profane is a synonym for defile in desecrate topic. In some cases you can use "Profane" instead a verb "Defile", when it comes to topics like clean, corrupt. popular alternative

Nearby Words: defiled, defilement, defiling

Profane

Profane verb - To lower in character, dignity, or quality.
Usage example: the once-lovely landscape had been profaned by ugly factories

Defile is a synonym for profane in desecrate topic. You can use "Defile" instead a verb "Profane", if it concerns topics such as clean, rape. popular alternative

Common collocations

temple defile temple profane temple
Cite this Source
Profane and Defile. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/defile/profane
Defile & Profane. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/defile/profane>.
Profane or Defile. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/defile/profane.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "defile" and "profane" have occurred on timeline