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
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Recent Examples of blasphemy
For this theme to have been chosen only after the tragic passing of pioneering fashion icon, long-time Vogue editor-at-large, and unmistakable dandy, Andre Leon Talley, is a sort of blasphemy.
—
Akilah Sailers, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
While Christians born into the faith are free to practice, Iran’s Shariah laws state that abandoning Islam for another religion is considered blasphemy, punishable by death.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
So too do the French disagree on the limits of satire and blasphemy, despite their honored places in French culture.
—Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Jan. 2025
Does this sound like blasphemy?
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blasphemy
Akilah Sailers, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
While Christians born into the faith are free to practice, Iran’s Shariah laws state that abandoning Islam for another religion is considered blasphemy, punishable by death.
—Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
So too do the French disagree on the limits of satire and blasphemy, despite their honored places in French culture.
—Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Jan. 2025
Does this sound like blasphemy?
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blasphemy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blasphemy
Noun
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This is culture-making in critical condition, because even the fact that these are static industries is a version of sacrilege.—
Harmony Holiday,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
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Such a transformation would represent an irrevocable loss: a profound sacrilege not only to the city’s rich history but also to the cultural legacy for the future generations.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Yet Jesus becomes angered by the desecration of the temple and begins tipping over the merchants' tables in the holy place while wielding a righteous whip.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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In the first of thirteen live, three-hour shows (with Nelle sitting in the studio audience), the thirty-five-year-old Reagan, accompanied by four Black actors, dramatically reenacted Klan cross-burnings, beatings and shootings, and the desecration of synagogues.—
Richard D. Mahoney,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Those participating in races can receive up to a $250 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail on the first violation, up to a $500 fine and/or up to 60 days in jail for the second violation, and up to a $1,000 fine and/or and up to six months in jail for a third.—
Alecia Taylor,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2025
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Consequences: Recognize and reward positive behaviors and address violations through appropriate accountability measures.—
Stephen M. Paskoff,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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The film's themes of corruption and the brave whistleblowers who expose it feel particularly apt in this current moment.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
5 June 2025
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In the early two-thousands, he was found to have misrepresented himself as a prosecutor to help a journalist investigate a mayor suspected of corruption; he was accused of having an extramarital affair; his son reportedly posted misogynistic comments online.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Scottish hen parties were deemed to contain ritualistic profanation.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
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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
Noun
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The commercials for Lilo & Stitch really did establish a new tone for marketing Disney movies, bringing to the studio a bit of the irreverence that Pixar and Dreamworks had profitably mined in the preceding years.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
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In a mix of fascination, irreverence, fandom and possible blasphemy, video compilations of cardinals with Charli XCX soundtracks have popped up online.—
Emma Bubola,
New York Times,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blasphemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blasphemy. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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