blasphemous
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of blasphemous
First recorded in 1525–35; from Late Latin blasphēmus, from Greek blásphēmos “defaming, speaking evil,” equivalent to blá(p)s(is) “harm, evil” ( blab- “harm” + -sis -sis ( def. ); compare bláptein “to harm”) + -phēmos “speaking,” derivative of phḗmē “speech”; see -ous ( def. )
Explanation
Blasphemous is an adjective that describes profane words and actions, especially when they are connected to something religious. Blasphemous comes from a Greek word that means “evil-speaking,” but actions as well as words can be blasphemous. Spitting on a cross, drawing pictures in the Qur’an, tripping a rabbi — all of these are rude in general, but because they combine a sacred religious person or thing with rude behavior, they're also blasphemous. Beyond religion, any attack on something you cherish is blasphemous, like when your best friend says your celebrity crush is ugly. Such blasphemous words!
Vocabulary lists containing blasphemous
"The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe
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The Poet X
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Cemetery Boys
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Matar's defense lawyers said he never acted on behalf of any terrorist organization, even if he was angry about the blasphemous nature of "The Satanic Verses."
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
As blasphemous as it sounds when referencing one of the greatest coaches in Los Angeles sports history, this one was on McVay.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 26, 2026
It’s blasphemous in America to suggest anything can rival the NFL, but today, I do not fear the football Gods.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2025
The protesters were angry over the display a book by the exiled feminist author Taslima Nasrin, who has in the past received death threats from Islamist groups for what they say are her blasphemous writings.
From BBC ● Feb. 18, 2025
He knew his ideas were practically blasphemous and so his book had to be as irrefutable as he could make it.
From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
