impiety

[im-pahy-i-tee]

noun

plural

impieties 

1. lack of piety; lack of reverence for God or sacred things; irreverence.

2. lack of dutifulness or respect.

3. an impious act, practice, etc.

impiety

/ ɪmˈpaɪɪtɪ /

noun

1. lack of reverence or proper respect for a god

2. any lack of proper respect

3. an impious act

Word History and Origins

Origin of impiety¹

1300–50; Middle English impietie < Latin impietās, equivalent to impi ( us ) impious + -etās, variant, after vowels, of -itās -ity

Example Sentences

The impiety of Thales had a more enduring impact, his reputation soaring over the ages.

Read more on New York Times

Ancient sources talk about his perishing at sea for his impiety, or alternatively, say that the brotherhood banished him and constructed a tomb for him, expelling him from the world of human beings.

Read more on Literature

She was known for making provocative statements in class, such as dismissing as a political stunt Socrates’ famous apology at his trial for impiety and corruption.

Read more on Washington Post

“All your religious parade and solemnity are ... mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety and hypocrisy.”

Read more on Washington Post

He was found guilty of corruption of the youth in Athens and impiety, namely “failing to acknowledge the gods that the city acknowledges” and “introducing new deities.”

Read more on Washington Post