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

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

The latest victim was a Muslim stoned to death in June after being accused of blaspheming Islam during an argument at a market.

From Seattle Times

A court convicted him on an 18-count charge of blaspheming Islam and breach of public peace through his posts on Facebook.

From Seattle Times

Mr. Macrae also championed Salman Rushdie when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini of Iran in 1989 accused Mr. Rushdie of blaspheming Islam in his novel “The Satanic Verses” and enjoined Muslims to kill him.

From New York Times