Which sentence uses profane to mean desecrate?

• A. He spoke profanely about the ceremony.
• B. Vandals profaned the sacred site.
• C. The profane sun rose.
• D. She wore profane perfume.

Answer: (B)

Profane has two main senses here: not sacred or disrespectful, and to desecrate something sacred. In this sentence, profaned is used as a verb describing an action done to something sacred. Vandals profaned the sacred site means they treated the site with irreverence and violated its sanctity—i.e., they desecrated it. That direct action of desecration is exactly what the word conveys in this form.

The other sentences illustrate different uses. Spoke profanely describes disrespectful or offensive language, not an act against a sacred object. Describing the sun as profane uses profane as an adjective meaning not sacred, which doesn’t convey desecration. Describing perfume as profane similarly uses the adjective sense but doesn’t involve desecration.