impiety

noun

im·​pi·​e·​ty (ˌ)im-ˈpī-ə-tē How to pronounce impiety (audio)
plural impieties
1
: the quality or state of being impious : irreverence
2
: an impious act

Examples of impiety in a Sentence

the unspeakable impiety of spitting in a church
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even aside from Trump’s own enthusiastic personal immorality and impiety, his political style — the pugnacious smear artist and demagogic braggart — was the antithesis of what evangelicals had sought before. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 23 Sep. 2025 By one hand, he is bound to himself, to his impiety, his recklessness, his envy and pride, his guilt and spite. Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024 Clouzot supplied that insight in strong visual terms: Fresnay’s conflicting impiety and righteous anger and so much dissatisfaction and panic among the townsfolk. Armond White, National Review, 20 Nov. 2024 If Socrates were still around (Letters, Nov. 3), he wouldn’t be canceled for impiety and corrupting the youth. Stephen Borkowski, WSJ, 7 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impiety. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

impiety

noun
im·​pi·​ety
(ˈ)im-ˈpī-ət-ē
plural impieties
1
: the quality or state of being impious
2
: an impious act

More from Merriam-Webster on impiety

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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