blaspheme

verb

blas·​pheme blas-ˈfēm How to pronounce blaspheme (audio)
ˈblas-ˌfēm
blasphemed; blaspheming
Synonyms of blasphemenext

intransitive verb

: to speak in a way that shows irreverence for God or something sacred : to utter blasphemy
blaspheming against God
refuses to blaspheme

transitive verb

1
: to speak of or address with irreverence
punished for having blasphemed God
2
: revile, abuse
… has been blasphemed more than he deserves.— Wildlife Review
blasphemer
blas-ˈfē-mər How to pronounce blaspheme (audio)
ˈblas-ˌfē-mər
-fə-mər
noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of blaspheme in a Sentence

He did not curse or blaspheme. people who have blasphemed against God people who have blasphemed God
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Greg has been blasphemed on national hockey shows up there, eh? — Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 5 June 2024 Earlier this month, Abdul Rauf, a Muslim English teacher, was gunned down in Turbat after his students accused him of blaspheming in one of his lectures. — Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English blasfemen, from Late Latin blasphemare — more at blame

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of blaspheme was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

blaspheme
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Cite this Entry

“Blaspheme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blaspheme. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

blaspheme

verb
blas·​pheme blas-ˈfēm How to pronounce blaspheme (audio)
ˈblas-ˌfēm
blasphemed; blaspheming
1
: to speak of or talk to with disrespect
2
: to speak blasphemy
3
: revile
blasphemer noun
Etymology

Middle English blasfemen "to blaspheme," from Latin blasphemare "to speak ill of, blaspheme," from Greek blasphēmein "to blaspheme" — related to blame

Legal Definition

blaspheme

verb
blas·​pheme blas-ˈfēm, ˈblas-ˌfēm How to pronounce blaspheme (audio)
blasphemed; blaspheming

transitive verb

: to commit blasphemy against
blaspheme God

intransitive verb

: to commit blasphemy

More from Merriam-Webster on blaspheme

Nglish: Translation of blaspheme for Spanish Speakers

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