impiety

[ im-pahy-i-tee ]

noun

, plural im·pi·e·ties.

1. lack of piety; lack of reverence for God or sacred things; irreverence.
2. lack of dutifulness or respect.
3. an impious act, practice, etc.

impiety

/ ɪmˈpaɪɪtɪ /

noun

1. lack of reverence or proper respect for a god
2. any lack of proper respect
3. an impious act

Word History and Origins

Origin of impiety¹

1300–50; Middle English impietie < Latin impietās, equivalent to impi ( us ) impious + -etās, variant, after vowels, of -itās -ity

Example Sentences

The impiety of Thales had a more enduring impact, his reputation soaring over the ages.

From New York Times

But it doesn’t include lines from later in the speech, reproaching his audience for prematurely celebrating the progress of abolition: “Your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; ... all your religious parade and solemnity, ... mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy — a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.”

From Los Angeles Times

Ancient sources talk about his perishing at sea for his impiety, or alternatively, say that the brotherhood banished him and constructed a tomb for him, expelling him from the world of human beings.

From Literature

She was known for making provocative statements in class, such as dismissing as a political stunt Socrates’ famous apology at his trial for impiety and corruption.

From Washington Post

Passing a bill that would make Juneteenth a federal holiday, in this historical context, is, as Douglass stated of 4th of July celebrations almost 170 years ago, “mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy—a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.”

From Slate