blasphemy

noun

ˈblas-fə-mē How to pronounce blasphemy (audio)
Definition of blasphemynext
as in sacrilege
an act of great disrespect shown to God or to sacred ideas, people, or things in the 17th century the Quakers were persecuted for beliefs and practices that older churches regarded as blasphemies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of blasphemy Since none of these passages offered any guidance on what this sin or blasphemy consisted of, there was nothing to stop anxious believers from applying it to their own behavior or experiences. — Literary Hub, 10 Mar. 2026 The electric Ferrari, a first and some might call blasphemy, will be called Luce, which ironically means light in Italian. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 11 Feb. 2026 As depicted in the movie, Lee was arrested multiple times for blasphemy and disturbing the peace. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026 Because of these and other views, she was persecuted and imprisoned several times for blasphemy in England. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blasphemy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blasphemy
  1. sacrilege
  2. desecration
  3. violation
  4. cursing
  5. impiety
  6. corruption
  7. profanation
  8. irreverence
Noun
  • That’s sacrilege on par with an Ohioan disowning football or a Texan recoiling at the smell of brisket, a Kentuckian thumbing his nose at college basketball.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 2 July 2026
  • Sure, Texans are very hospitable, but playing anything other than country music over the speakers is normally considered sacrilege in that establishment.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Definition of sacrilege
Noun
  • The Tesla’s desecration follows a vandalism spree in Queens that saw religious centers, homes and vehicles defiled with swastikas and antisemitic slogans last month.
    — Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • However, the Supreme Court in several cases has struck down any improper use or desecration of the flag on the grounds of free speech, according to the Library of Congress’ most frequently asked questions about flag law.
    — Darleene Powells, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
Definition of desecration
Noun
  • On June 27, 2026, at Trinity Pride Fest in Fort Worth, Texas, street preachers Richard Penkoski and David Grisham were subjected to multiple violations of their First Amendment rights while attempting to preach on public property.
    — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • However, Pregen said city inspectors later signed an affidavit of compliance certifying Martinez had corrected the violations roughly two months ago.
    — Larry Seward, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • In about seven minutes, with pushing, shoving, and cursing, the agents cleared a path for the van.
    — Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
  • People would literally be in the drive-thru cursing at me.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Definition of cursing
Noun
  • 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
Definition of impiety
Noun
  • They are accused of encouraging dissent against the regime and were convicted of broad charges of corruption, CNN’s Isobel Yeung reports.
    — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Each saw human nature as susceptible to corruption by base impulses and self-interest.
    — Donovan Fifield, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • Scottish hen parties were deemed to contain ritualistic profanation.
    — Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025
  • No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move; ’Twere profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love.
    — John Edgar Wideman, The New Yorker, 8 July 2021
Definition of profanation
Noun
  • By the early 1990s, Eugene had earned itself a reputation as a beacon of progressive-minded irreverence, drawing a pungent mix of weirdos, iconoclasts, and freethinkers.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • The screening usually focusses on clandestine hanky-panky, but this season the girls’ irreverence was so abundant that the producers treated them to an unprecedented second viewing night.
    — Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026
Definition of irreverence

Browse Nearby Words

blasphemousness
blasphemy
blast
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Cite this Entry

“Blasphemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blasphemy. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on blasphemy

Nglish: Translation of blasphemy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blasphemy

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