blaspheme

[ blas-feem, blas-feem ]
See synonyms for blaspheme on Thesaurus.com
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.

verb (used without object),blas·phemed, blas·phem·ing.
  1. to speak irreverently of God or sacred things; utter impieties.

Origin of blaspheme

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Late Latin blasphēmāre, from Greek blasphēmeîn “to speak profanely,” derivative of blásphēmos blasphemous

synonym study For blaspheme

1. See curse.

Other words from blaspheme

  • blas·phem·er [blas-fee-mer, blas-fee-, -fuh-], /blæsˈfi mər, ˈblæs fi-, -fə-/, noun
  • un·blas·phemed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use blaspheme in a sentence

  • If he mortifies himself merely for the sake of mortifying himself; then he defiles and blasphemes the Temple.

    The Secret Glory | Arthur Machen
  • It staggers down the streets, blasphemes with oaths that can be heard, wallows in vice unmentionable by modest lips.

    The Meaning of Faith | Harry Emerson Fosdick
  • Now it is a well-known law in Moslem countries that he who blasphemes the Prophet Mohammed or his religion must die.

    The Moors in Spain | Stanley Lane-Poole
  • When the priest steps between husband and wife, with the name of God on his lips, he blasphemes.

    Flowers of Freethought | George W. Foote
  • When, in the name of God, he opposes freedom of thought and liberty of conscience, he blasphemes.

    Flowers of Freethought | George W. Foote

British Dictionary definitions for blaspheme

blaspheme

/ (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

Origin of blaspheme

1
C14: from Late Latin blasphēmāre, from Greek blasphēmein from blasphēmos blasphemous

Derived forms of blaspheme

  • blasphemer, noun

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