blaspheme

American  

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

verb (used with object)

blasphemed, blaspheming

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)

blasphemed, blaspheming

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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Related Words

See curse.

Other Word Forms

• blasphemer noun
• unblasphemed adjective

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

Example Sentences

“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

Nine tenths of the men who talk in this way do but blaspheme Love by taking his name in vain.”

From A Rose of a Hundred Leaves A Love Story by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston