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.

verb (used without object)

, blas·phemed, blas·phem·ing.

1. to speak irreverently of God or sacred things; utter impieties.

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

Derived Forms

• blasˈphemer, noun

Other Words From

• blas·phem·er [blas-, fee, -mer, blas, -fee-, -f, uh, -], noun
• un·blas·phemed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blaspheme¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of blaspheme¹

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

Synonym Study

See curse.

Example Sentences

Jodie Sweetin has responded after her TV sister and co-star Candace Cameron Bure said that a particular part of the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony served to "blaspheme and mock the Christian faith."

From Salon

To “see the opening ceremony completely blaspheme and mock the Christian faith with their interpretation of ‘The Last Supper’ was disgusting,” she said in a video.

From Los Angeles Times

In some videos, people can be heard chanting that those who blaspheme must be beheaded.

From BBC

“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

President Emmanuel Macron spoke out in support of the teenager, arguing that in France "we have the right to blaspheme".

From BBC