Words / C2

SAKR-ohs-angkt/ˈsækrəʊsæŋkt/

Sacrosanct means too important or holy to be criticised or altered: a sacrosanct principle, treat as sacrosanct. Sacred (already in the dictionary) is holy or deeply valued; sacrosanct adds the freeze — you may not touch it. Sanctimonious (already in the dictionary) is a show of virtue, not protection. Do not treat a ranking as sacrosanct when the n is empty.

Meaning

Too important or holy to be criticised, changed, or interfered with.

Examples

• “A ranking is not sacrosanct when the n is empty.”
• “Sacred is everyday-holy (already in the dictionary). Inviolable is the legal twin. Untouchable is the gloss. A consent rule can fairly be sacrosanct. A league table used to skip the appendix is branding, not liturgy. Open the cell; holiness does not fill it.”

Good to know

Too important to criticise or change. Everyday: untouchable. Close: sacred (already in this dictionary). Mix-up: sanctimonious (preachy — already in C2). A ranking is not a relic.

Near in meaning

sacred

New