sacrosanct
SAK-roh-sankt
/ˈsækrəʊsæŋkt/
(Especially of a principle, place, or routine) regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with.
Sacrosanct is a 'double-holy' word; it implies something is so sacred that even the thought of changing or violating it is offensive.
The story behind the word. This word is a combination of two Latin words for 'holy'. It originally referred to the 'sacrosancti'—Roman officials whose bodies were legally protected from any physical harm by religious law.
Word relationships
- inviolable: Inviolable means it cannot be broken; sacrosanct adds the layer of being holy or extremely valuable.
- hallowed: Hallowed means made holy; sacrosanct means protected by its holiness.
- profane: Profane is that which is common or disrespectful to the sacred.
Commonly confused with
- taboo: A taboo is something forbidden; something sacrosanct is something so holy it must be protected.
Word family
- sacrosanctity (noun): The state of being sacrosanct.
Collocations
- sacrosanct principle
- sacrosanct tradition
- regarded as sacrosanct
- sacrosanct duty
Example sentences
- "For many citizens, the right to a trial by jury is considered sacrosanct and must never be abolished." Politics
- "Her Sunday morning yoga routine was sacrosanct; no one was allowed to disturb her during that hour." Personal Life
Memory hook
Something 'sacrosanct' is 'sacred' and 'sanctified'—it's doubly holy. Sacrosanct is 'sacred' and 'sanctified'.
When not to use
Don't use 'sacrosanct' for trivial things unless you are being hyperbolic; it carries a weight of extreme importance.
Fun facts
- In ancient Rome, the 'tribunes of the plebs' were sacrosanct; anyone who touched them could be killed without trial.
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