Phrase guide

break the Sabbath

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To violate (the holiness or sanctity of) the Sabbath (by not keeping it holy).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Matthew 12:5 Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? (New American Standard Bible, ©1995)

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: profani la sabaton — to break the Sabbath
  • Esperanto: malsanktigi la sabaton — to break the Sabbath
  • French: violer le sabbat — to break the Sabbath
  • French: profaner le sabbat — to break the Sabbath
  • German: den Sabbat brechen — to break the Sabbath
  • German: den Sabbat entheiligen — to break the Sabbath
  • German: den Sabbat schänden — to break the Sabbath
  • German: den Sabbat entweihen — to break the Sabbath
  • Romanian: încălca Sabatul — to break the Sabbath
  • Volapük: säsaludükön jabati — to break the Sabbath
  • Volapük: viodön jabati — to break the Sabbath