Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

blaspheme

[blas-feem, blas-feem]
verb (used with object), blas·phemed, blas·phem·ing.
  1. to speak impiously or irreverently of (God or sacred things).
  2. to speak evil of; slander; abuse.
Show More
verb (used without object), blas·phemed, blas·phem·ing.
  1. to speak irreverently of God or sacred things; utter impieties.
Show More

Origin of blaspheme

1300–50; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Late Latin blasphēmāre < Greek blasphēmeîn to speak profanely, derivative of blásphēmos blasphemous
Related formsblas·phem·er [blas-fee-mer, blas-fee-, -fuh-] /blæsˈfi mər, ˈblæs fi-, -fə-/, nounun·blas·phemed, adjective

Synonym study

1. See curse.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for blasphemer

Historical Examples

  • It is in fact hard to say why he should have been a blasphemer.

    The Civilisation of the Renaissance in Italy

    Jacob Burckhardt

  • There was a blow and the blasphemer reeled and fell against the wall.

  • He who questions it would be a blasphemer were he not a fool.

    Burlesques

    William Makepeace Thackeray

  • Any man who reads Nietzsche or quotes Nietzsche is a blasphemer.

    Theft

    Jack London

  • The blasphemer has no right to boast over the hypocrite, and the hypocrite has no right to boast over the blasphemer.

British Dictionary definitions for blasphemer

blaspheme

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
Show More
Derived Formsblasphemer, noun

Word Origin

C14: from Late Latin blasphēmāre, from Greek blasphēmein from blasphēmos blasphemous
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for blasphemer

blaspheme

v.

mid-14c., from Old French blasfemer "to blaspheme" (14c., Modern French blasphémer), from Church Latin blasphemare (also in Late Latin "revile, reproach"), from Greek blasphemein "to speak lightly or amiss of sacred things, to slander," from blasphemos "evil-speaking" (see blasphemy). A reintroduction after the original word had been worn down and sense-shifted to blame. Related: Blasphemed; blaspheming.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper