blasphemy

[ blas-fuh-mee ]

/ ˈblæs fə mi /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR blasphemy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural blas·phe·mies.

impious utterance or action concerning God or sacred things.

Judaism.

an act of cursing or reviling God.
pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton (YHVH) in the original, now forbidden manner instead of using a substitute pronunciation such as Adonai.

Theology. the crime of assuming to oneself the rights or qualities of God.

irreverent behavior toward anything held sacred, priceless, etc.: He uttered blasphemies against life itself.

Nearby words

blarney stone, blart, blasco ibáñez, blaspheme, blasphemous, blasphemy, blast, blast cell, blast furnace, blast injection, blast injury

Origin of blasphemy

1175–1225; Middle English blasphemie < Late Latin blasphēmia < Greek. See blasphemous, -y³

SYNONYMS FOR blasphemy

1 profanity, cursing, swearing; sacrilege, impiety.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR blasphemy ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

non·blas·phe·my, noun, plural non·blas·phe·mies.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for blasphemy

According to Pew, 14 of the 20 countries in the Middle East and North Africa have blasphemy laws.
In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Have a look at this telling research from Pew on blasphemy and apostasy laws around the world.
In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Since 1987, there have been roughly 1,300 cases filed under the blasphemy laws, according to varied reports.
Disco Mullah Blasphemy Row Highlights Pakistan’s Hypocrisy|Shaheen Pasha|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Its blasphemy law, which carries the death penalty, is frequently invoked and just as frequently misused.
Pakistan’s Dance With Terrorists Just Backfired and Killed 132 Children|Chris Allbritton|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

If you muttered, “blasphemy” after reading the first tip about skipping a snack, then snack smart.
6 Ways to Avoid ‘Sochi Gut’ While Watching the Olympics|Jenna A. Bell|February 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now is there any blasphemy in saying that the bible is true?
Trial of C. B. Reynolds For Blasphemy|Robert G. Ingersoll
And if that infamous doctrine is true every tear is a crime, and every kiss a blasphemy.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 1 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll
Then he told us how this wandering mass of blasphemy got his name of "Spreetoo Santoo."
The Ebbing Of The Tide|Louis Becke
He should at once shun the blasphemer, who is by his blasphemy for ever filled with sin.
The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha|Madhava Acharya
The morrow did not mend matters for the jury disagreed in the blasphemy trial, and the whole thing had to be gone through again.
We Two|Edna Lyall

British Dictionary definitions for blasphemy

blasphemy

/ (ˈblæsfɪmɪ) /

noun plural -mies

blasphemous behaviour or language

Also called: blasphemous libel law the crime committed if a person insults, offends, or vilifies the deity, Christ, or the Christian religion

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

blasphemy

noun, plural blas·phe·mies.

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of blasphemy

SYNONYMS FOR blasphemy

Related forms

Examples from the Web for blasphemy

British Dictionary definitions for blasphemy

blasphemy

noun plural -mies