The word "sacrosanct" means regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with. Here are some of its synonyms and an analysis of them:
1. Inviolable
- Meaning: Not to be violated, infringed, or broken. For example, "The principles of justice are inviolable."
- Similarity to "sacrosanct": Both words convey a sense of something that is so sacred or important that it must not be violated. They imply a high level of protection and respect for the thing in question.
- Difference: "Inviolable" has a more legal or formal tone. It is often used in the context of laws, rights, and principles. For example, we talk about inviolable human rights. "Sacrosanct" can have a broader range of applications, including religious, cultural, or traditional contexts. It might refer to a religious ritual or a long - held cultural belief that is considered untouchable.
2. Sacred
- Meaning: Connected with God or a god or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration. For example, "The sacred temple was a place of worship and peace."
- Similarity to "sacrosanct": They both have a strong religious or spiritual connotation of something being highly respected and protected. Something sacred or sacrosanct is treated with a great deal of reverence.
- Difference: "Sacred" is more directly related to religious worship and the divine. It often refers to objects, places, or practices that have a direct connection to a religious belief. "Sacrosanct" can extend beyond the religious realm to include other values or concepts that are held in such high esteem that they are considered untouchable. For example, in a particular society, the traditional way of greeting elders might be sacrosanct, even if it's not a religious practice.
3. Holy
- Meaning: Dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred. For example, "The holy book is the guiding text for their faith."
- Similarity to "sacrosanct": Similar to "sacred," "holy" and "sacrosanct" share the idea of something being treated with the utmost respect due to its religious or highly - valued nature.
- Difference: "Holy" is more specific to religious contexts and is often associated with things that have a divine origin or are directly related to a deity. For example, a holy site is a place where a religious miracle is believed to have occurred. "Sacrosanct" can apply to a wider range of ideas, including secular values that have acquired a near - sacred status in a society or group.
4. Consecrated
- Meaning: Made or declared sacred; dedicated formally to a religious or divine purpose. For example, "The consecrated ground was used for religious ceremonies."
- Similarity to "sacrosanct": Both words imply a sense of something being set apart and treated with special respect. A consecrated object or place, like something sacrosanct, is considered to have a high level of importance and protection.
- Difference: "Consecrated" is more about the act of making something sacred through a formal religious ceremony. It emphasizes the process of dedication. "Sacrosanct" focuses more on the status of the thing being so important that it's immune from violation, regardless of how it acquired that status. For example, a consecrated church building is made holy through a religious rite, and its sacrosanct status means it should not be desecrated.
5. Untouchable
- Meaning: Not to be touched, criticized, or interfered with. For example, "In their traditional society, the king's decree was considered untouchable."
- Similarity to "sacrosanct": They both suggest a sense of immunity from interference or violation. Something that is untouchable or sacrosanct is protected from actions that might harm or change it.
- Difference: "Untouchable" can have a more negative or superstitious connotation in some contexts. For example, in a caste - based society, the term "untouchable" was used to denote a group that was considered outside the normal social order. "Sacrosanct" is a more positive term, emphasizing the value and importance of the thing that should not be violated.