What does "blasphemy" mean?
An act of irreverence or contempt toward a god or toward something considered sacred; an impious act, utterance, view, etc.
Blasphemy
/ˈblæs.fə.mi/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An act of irreverence or contempt toward a god or toward something considered sacred; an impious act, utterance, view, etc.
- Grammar: blasphemy is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: sacrilege, abominations, abuse, affront.
- Useful contrasts: deep reverence, alleluia, hallelujah.
- Usage evidence: If throughout your life you abstain from murder, theft, fornication, perjury, blasphemy, and disrespect toward your parents, your church, and your king, you are conventionally held to deserve moral admiration even if you have never done a single kind or generous or useful action.
How to use "blasphemy"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "blasphemy" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "blasphemy" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "blasphemy" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "blasphemy" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An act of irreverence or contempt toward a god or toward something considered sacred; an impious act, utterance, view, etc. countable, uncountable
"That imam said that drawing the prophet Muhammad was a form of blasphemy."
- 2 blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character wordnet
- 3 An act of irreverence towards anything considered inviolable; the act of disregarding a convention. broadly, countable, uncountable
"Some historical information is given on the Panormo family of guitar makers and a whole chapter is called, "Maccaferri's 'Monstrosity'," the name given Julian's Maccaferri guitar due to the blasphemy of its having more than six strings, […]"
- 4 blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for God or for something sacred) wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"If throughout your life you abstain from murder, theft, fornication, perjury, blasphemy, and disrespect toward your parents, your church, and your king, you are conventionally held to deserve moral admiration even if you have never done a single kind or generous or useful action."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "blasphemy"?
Common synonyms include: sacrilege, abominations, abuse, affront, anathema, anathemas.
How do you use "blasphemy" in a sentence?
If throughout your life you abstain from murder, theft, fornication, perjury, blasphemy, and disrespect toward your parents, your church, and your king, you are conventionally held to deserve moral admiration even if you have never done a single kind or generous or useful action.
How do you pronounce "blasphemy"?
Pronounced /ˈblæs.fə.mi/.
Etymology
From Middle English blasfemie, from Old French blasfemie, from Ecclesiastical Latin blasphēmia, from Ancient Greek βλασφημία (blasphēmía, “profanity”), from βλασφημέω (blasphēméō, “to slander”).