blasphemy

noun

blas·​phe·​my ˈblas-fə-mē 

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 blasphemy

—John 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."

Synonyms

• defilement
• desecration
• impiety
• irreverence
• profanation
• sacrilege

Example Sentences

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

Indeed, now some political speech is attacked as if it were blasphemy drawn from the colonial period when witches were burned at the stake. —Laurence H. Silberman, WSJ, 30 Sep. 2022

Alpa said Waris was arrested in 2019 on a previous blasphemy charge and was in prison until mid-2022. —Bradford Betz, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2023

Missouri auteur's most humane and deeply felt offering to date — which says a lot about a movie rife with blasphemy, self-mutilation, and miniature donkeys. —Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 21 Oct. 2022

Similarly, blood sacrifice, whether of humans or animals, has been central to many religions, and taboo and blasphemy in the context of others. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2012

Once the proceedings got under way, under Kimmel’s captaincy, there was no room for broadsides or blasphemy. —Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023

Basketball blasphemy! —Jason Williams, The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2023

In normal times, that warm and fuzzy positioning is either spot-on or total blasphemy, depending on your worldview as a consumer, competitor, vendor, or activist. —Marc Peruzzi, Outside Online, 2 Mar. 2021

Oh my friends, this is blasphemy. —Bruce Bartlett, The New Republic, 10 Aug. 2020

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Word History

Etymology

see blaspheme

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

blasphemy

noun

blas·​phe·​my ˈblas-fə-mē 

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 

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.