blaspheme

verb

blas·​pheme blas-ˈfēm How to pronounce blaspheme (audio)
ˈblas-ˌfēm
blasphemed; blaspheming

intransitive verb

: to speak in a way that shows irreverence for God or something sacred : to utter blasphemy
blaspheming against God
refuses to blaspheme

transitive verb

1
: to speak of or address with irreverence
punished for having blasphemed God
2
: revile, abuse
… has been blasphemed more than he deserves.Wildlife Review
blasphemer
blas-ˈfē-mər How to pronounce blaspheme (audio)
ˈblas-ˌfē-mər
-fə-mər
noun

Examples of blaspheme in a Sentence

He did not curse or blaspheme. people who have blasphemed against God people who have blasphemed God
Recent Examples on the Web Earlier this month, Abdul Rauf, a Muslim English teacher, was gunned down in Turbat after his students accused him of blaspheming in one of his lectures. Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2023 In one infamous case in 2010, Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, was sentenced to death, accused of blaspheming Islam. New York Times, 4 May 2020 To disguise ourselves forever would be to blaspheme his work of redeeming the world. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 30 Mar. 2020 Witnesses at the mosque said Abdelrhim Abdelghani shoved his way in at about 4 p.m., swiped a Quran off a shelf, took it to the nearby intersection of Northwest Fourth Avenue and Northwest 15th Vista and began defiling and blaspheming the holy book. Tonya Alanez, sun-sentinel.com, 26 June 2019 God’s mercy and justice on those who have blasphemed God’s holy name, those who slander and bear false witness and those who commit murder or justify murder as a means for fighting criminality. Jim Gomez, The Seattle Times, 9 July 2018 God’s mercy and justice on those who have blasphemed God’s Holy Name, those who slander and bear false witness, and those who commit murder or justify murder as a means for fighting criminality in our country. Jake Maxwell Watts, WSJ, 9 July 2018 Regrettable, but perhaps this incident will wake up some progressives who were all too giddy that Google Memo guy gets fired for daring to blaspheme the Church of Diversity. Josh Levin, Slate Magazine, 15 Sep. 2017 No, to them patriotism is a religion, the national anthem is its hymn, and anyone who expresses misgivings about our nation is a heretic, blaspheming their god. Jack Moore, GQ, 6 Sep. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blaspheme.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English blasfemen, from Late Latin blasphemare — more at blame

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of blaspheme was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near blaspheme

Cite this Entry

“Blaspheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blaspheme. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

blaspheme

verb
blas·​pheme blas-ˈfēm How to pronounce blaspheme (audio)
ˈblas-ˌfēm
blasphemed; blaspheming
1
: to speak of or talk to with disrespect
2
: to speak blasphemy
3
: revile
blasphemer noun
Etymology

Middle English blasfemen "to blaspheme," from Latin blasphemare "to speak ill of, blaspheme," from Greek blasphēmein "to blaspheme" — related to blame

Legal Definition

blaspheme

verb
blasphemed; blaspheming

transitive verb

: to commit blasphemy against
blaspheme God

intransitive verb

: to commit blasphemy

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