as in blasphemy
an act of great disrespect shown to God or to sacred ideas, people, or things
the unspeakable impiety of spitting in a church
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 impiety
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impiety
Noun
-
This was a weak case for blasphemy.
-
The president later removed the post in the face of outrage and accusations of blasphemy.
Noun
-
Sure, Texans are very hospitable, but playing anything other than country music over the speakers is normally considered sacrilege in that establishment.
-
But by then, religious and political leaders from around the world condemned the image, some calling it a sacrilege.
Noun
-
She is also accused of harassment and violation of temporary order for protection against domestic violence, both of which are misdemeanor offenses.
-
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, 51-year-old Mathers of Chesterfield did not appear for an adjourned bond-violation hearing and sentencing after pleading no contest on May 11 to operating while intoxicated.
Noun
-
The council made similar appointments when Patrick Cannon stepped down in 2014 after he was indicted on public corruption charges and in 2013 when Anthony Foxx left the city to become the federal secretary of transportation.
-
When self-interest matures into corruption, the machine begins to strain.
Noun
-
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.
-
He was charged in Linn County, Kansas with interference with law enforcement, criminal desecration and having a vicious dog at large.
Noun
-
In about seven minutes, with pushing, shoving, and cursing, the agents cleared a path for the van.
-
People would literally be in the drive-thru cursing at me.
Noun
-
Scottish hen parties were deemed to contain ritualistic profanation.
-
No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move; ’Twere profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love.
Noun
-
The museum touts its irreverence, for example placing a portrait of George Washington by untrained artist Howard Finster with one by Gilbert Stuart.
-
Pratt’s main character energy proved attractive to (primarily out-of-state) donors as well as meme makers, who gravitated to his blend of righteousness and rage as well as irreverence.
Cite this Entry
“Impiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impiety. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
