blasphemy

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablereligion

   Words or actions that insult God, a religion, or something regarded as holy.

   Grammar: Usually uncountable: accused of blasphemy.

   Patterns

   • commit blasphemy
   • blasphemy against something

   He was jailed for blasphemy in the sixteenth century.

   Some viewers called the cartoon blasphemy.

   The play was banned as blasphemy against the church.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountablefigurativehumorousinformal

   A remark or act that shows lack of respect for something others hold dear, said half in jest.

   Grammar: Humorous when used for non-religious matters.

   Patterns

   • it's blasphemy to say something

   Putting ketchup on a steak is blasphemy to some chefs.

   To a Neapolitan, pineapple pizza is blasphemy.

   Booing the national anthem was seen as blasphemy by the fans.

Word forms

Common combinations

commit blasphemy

They were accused of committing blasphemy.

charge of blasphemy

He faced a charge of blasphemy.

blasphemy law

The country repealed its blasphemy law.

utter blasphemy

To the priest, the joke was utter blasphemy.

accuse of blasphemy

The author was accused of blasphemy.

Synonyms and how they differ

sacrilege

Sacrilege means damaging or disrespecting a holy thing or place, whereas blasphemy is mainly speech.

profanity

Profanity means rude or offensive words and need not insult religion.

heresy

Heresy is holding a belief against official teaching, whereas blasphemy is disrespect toward the sacred.

irreverence

Irreverence is milder and means lack of respect, with no legal or religious charge.

Opposites

Word family

blaspheme verb

to speak with contempt about sacred things

blasphemer noun

a person who blasphemes

blasphemous adjective

showing contempt for what is sacred

blasphemously adverb

in a way that insults the sacred

Commonly confused: blasphemy or heresy?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “blasphemy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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