blaspheme

American  

[blas-feem, blas-feem] / blæsˈfim, ˈblæs fim /

verb (used with object)

• blasphemes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• blasphemed,
  past participle,  past
• blaspheming
  present participle

1. to speak impiously or irreverently of (God or sacred things).

2. to speak evil of; slander; abuse.

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verb (used without object)

• blasphemes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• blasphemed,
  past participle,  past
• blaspheming
  present participle

1. to speak irreverently of God or sacred things; utter impieties.

blaspheme British  

/ blæsˈfiːm /

verb

1. (tr) to show contempt or disrespect for (God, a divine being, or sacred things), esp in speech

2. (intr) to utter profanities, curses, or impious expressions

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Synonym Usage

See curse.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• blasphemer
  noun
• unblasphemed
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• blaspheming
  present
• blasphemed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• blaspheme
  simple
• blasphemes
  simple
• have blasphemed
  perfect
• has blasphemed
  perfect
• am blaspheming
  progressive
• are blaspheming
  progressive
• is blaspheming
  progressive
• have been blaspheming
  perfect progressive
• has been blaspheming
  perfect progressive

Past

• blasphemed
  simple
• had blasphemed
  perfect
• was blaspheming
  progressive
• were blaspheming
  progressive
• had been blaspheming
  perfect progressive

Future

• will blaspheme
  simple
• will have blasphemed
  perfect
• will be blaspheming
  progressive
• will have been blaspheming
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of blaspheme

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Late Latin blasphēmāre, from Greek blasphēmeîn “to speak profanely,” derivative of blásphēmos blasphemous

Explanation

To blaspheme is to say something offensive, specifically offensive to a religion. There are several types of blaspheming, but they usually involve saying things that are considered offensive to a religion or to a deity. If you say "Jesus Christ!" or "Good God!" when you stub your toe, some would consider that blaspheming.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

blaspheme blasphemes blasphemed blaspheming

“I don’t really understand how you can blaspheme about something that happened, even in 1625,” he said, offering up excerpts from Brown’s book.

From New York Times ● Jul. 10, 2021

President Emmanuel Macron spoke out in support of the teenager, arguing that in France "we have the right to blaspheme".

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2021

I’m about to blaspheme here, so hold onto your knickers, Dodger fans, but Vin Scully used to have me snoring by the fourth inning, his drone being the perfect cure for insomnia.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2021

Mila has appeared on French television to say she did not regret the video and to defend the right to blaspheme.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 12, 2020

Therefore they must not blaspheme Him, either directly or through His agents, nor tardily yield Him what He claims.

From The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Exodus by G. A. Chadwick

The consistent mind mocks and distorts life itself, blasphemes and perverts everything in a uni verse that insists on motion.

From Time Magazine Archive

But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven.

From The Gospel of Luke for Readers by Anonymous

The greedy tradesman blasphemes over his losses; he lies and perjures himself over the price of his wares.

From Summa Theologica, Part II-II (Secunda Secundae) Translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province by Saint Thomas Aquinas

There is no blasphemy but the avowal of thought, and he who speaks what he thinks blasphemes.

From Lectures of Col. R. G. Ingersoll, Volume I Including His Answers to the Clergy, His Oration at His Brother's Grave, Etc., Etc. by Robert Green Ingersoll

"It's their damned duty," says George the Pious, who never blasphemes on his own account, but allows himself some license concerning his subjects.

From Secret Memoirs: The Story of Louise, Crown Princess by Henry W. (Henry William) Fischer

Juan de Salas stood before the inquisitor Moriz in Vallalodid on June 21, 1527, and once again denied he had blasphemed the evangelists.

From Salon ● Dec. 5, 2015

"I've had a lot more fun watching and arguing about the Twilight movies than I ever had with the Star Wars saga, that lumbering, narratively hobbled space opera," he blasphemed recently.

From The Guardian ● Nov. 15, 2012

"Texas" blasphemed, tried the door, finally fired through it.

From Time Magazine Archive

Be all of you subject one to another, having your conversation honest among the Gentiles; that by your good works both ye yourselves may receive praise and the Lord may not be blasphemed through you.

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 03 by Charles F. (Charles Francis) Horne

Constantly that day was put off, and again put off, delay followed delay, while the men speculated on the cause, condemned the authorities and blasphemed generally.

From The Tale of a Trooper by Clutha N. (Clutha Nantes) Mackenzie

The wonderfully blaspheming Ella, who is wise to everyone’s deceits, steals many of the scenes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026

As he saw it, what his son was doing, like what the sunbathers and the bikers were doing, was not blaspheming the memorial: There can be no forgetting, he said.

From New York Times ● May 28, 2014

“Bill, you’re blaspheming me,” Mr. Icahn complained, according to Mr. Ackman.

From New York Times ● Nov. 26, 2011

Scot, who grew up Christian in Muslim Pakistan, fled to Australia in 1987 after he was charged with blaspheming against the Prophet Muhammad, an offense punishable by death.

From Time Magazine Archive

I wasn’t blaspheming, I was asking for information.

From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway