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

Relevance

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 The Nigerian government’s enforcement of Islamic blasphemy laws, which carry the death penalty and harsh prison sentences, affect citizens of various religions, advocates raised in their Oct. 15 letter. Laura Kelly, The Hill, 3 Nov. 2025 Pakistan has seen a significant spike in blasphemy cases in recent years, in line with the TLP's rise. NPR, 24 Oct. 2025 Yes, all this is whimsical blasphemy. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025 Many societies in the past have linked swearing to blasphemy or sin. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blasphemy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blasphemy
Noun
  • Doing anything else would be sacrilege to the faithful, as well as false to the friendship that exists at the center of this Broadway behemoth.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
  • In 1998, the Lucky Chances casino opened, surrounded by graveyards on three side, which critics saw as a sacrilege.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • He was charged with dozens more counts of criminal mischief, burglary, intentional desecration of a venerated object and other crimes.
    Emma Caughlan, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Gerlach has been charged with 26 counts of burglary and criminal trespassing, in addition to abuse of a corpse and desecration and theft or sale of venerated objects.
    Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The bill specifically targeted local jails holding people accused of civil violations.
    Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
  • If the sale does go through, the administration can still use its enforcement powers to make sure any new owner corrects open violations and adheres to rent-stabilization laws.
    Clio Chang, Curbed, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • There’s gore, demogorgons, demodogs, sexuality, cursing, weapons, drinking, and even death.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Pete Golding went from a cursing curiosity in the coaching ranks to taking on legendary status in Ole Miss football history Thursday night.
    Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • 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
Noun
  • Conditions were only made worse by recent military defeats, crippling sanctions, corruption, and an unparalleled water crisis.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The improvement at Eskom, which provides 80% of the country’s power generation, comes after years of mismanagement, corruption scandals, and bailouts for ongoing debt problems.
    Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 7 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
  • The publication is a stylish bible of the young downtown set and is known for its irreverence, early internet aesthetic, and buzzy parties, which reportedly draw rapturous crowds.
    Niela Orr, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Cumming’s selection continues BAFTA’s recent tradition of choosing hosts who can balance irreverence with reverence, as the ceremony seeks to maintain its prestige while remaining accessible to a global audience.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 18 Dec. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blasphemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blasphemy. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on blasphemy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!