blasphemy

noun

blas·​phe·​my ˈblas-fə-mē How to pronounce blasphemy (audio)
plural blasphemies
1
a
: the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God
accused of blasphemy
b
: the act of claiming the attributes of a deity
for a mere man to suggest that he was … divine could only be viewed … as blasphemyJohn Bright †1889
2
: irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between blasphemy and heresy?

Blasphemy, in a religious sense, refers to great disrespect shown to God or to something holy, or to something said or done that shows this kind of disrespect; heresy refers a belief or opinion that does not agree with the official belief or opinion of a particular religion. Both words are also sometimes used in general, not necessarily religious, contexts.

What is the verb form of blasphemy?

The verb form of blasphemy is blaspheme, as in "those who blaspheme God." It comes to English from the Late Latin word blasphemare.

Does blasphemy have to be spoken?

Although in certain senses of the word it may be more common to use blasphemy in reference to speech, it may also be applied to writing. The word has broadened in meaning beyond "the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God"; it is now also used with the meaning "irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable."

Examples of blasphemy in a Sentence

She was condemned by the church for uttering blasphemies. in the 17th century the Quakers were persecuted for beliefs and practices that older churches regarded as blasphemies
Recent Examples on the Web So, just from all the blatant blasphemy alone, odds are Montero Hill won't be strutting across the Liberty University campus this fall. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 9 Jan. 2024 They were charged with blasphemy, according to a police report. Sophia Saifi, CNN, 16 Aug. 2023 One of Indonesia’s most high-profile blasphemy cases was that of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Indonesian politician widely known as Ahok who served as Jakarta’s first non-Muslim governor in 50 years. Heather Chen, CNN, 21 Sep. 2023 Critics of the country’s approach to prosecuting blasphemy allegations say that due process is often lacking, as authorities yield power to mobs — either deliberately or because they are taken by surprise — and those accused end up lynched. Rick Noack, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2023 Both countries have abolished their centuries-old blasphemy laws in recent years. Time, 15 Aug. 2023 The mention of synthetic, atmospheric moisture-trapping materials such as ‘Latex’ is blasphemy within these walls. Nick Scott, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2023 Will the city of Amatrice come after us, crying blasphemy? G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023 Recommended Under Pakistan’s penal code, blasphemy is punishable by death. Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blasphemy.' 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

see blaspheme

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of blasphemy was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near blasphemy

Cite this Entry

“Blasphemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blasphemy. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

blasphemy

noun
blas·​phe·​my ˈblas-fə-mē How to pronounce blasphemy (audio)
plural blasphemies
: great disrespect shown to God or to sacred persons or things
blasphemous
-məs
adjective
blasphemously adverb
blasphemousness noun

Legal Definition

blasphemy

noun
blas·​phe·​my ˈblas-fə-mē How to pronounce blasphemy (audio)
plural blasphemies
: the crime of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God or a religion and its doctrines and writings and especially God as perceived by Christianity and Christian doctrines and writings

Note: In many states, blasphemy statutes have been repealed as contrary to the First Amendment.

More from Merriam-Webster on blasphemy

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