ENGLISH
REFERENCE

blasphemy

n. C / U
C1 Advanced US //ˈbɫæsfəmi// UK //blˈɑːsfəmi// blas·phe·my

n. the act of saying or doing something that is very disrespectful toward a religion or a god. It can also mean saying something that goes against a very popular or respected idea.

n. the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for a deity or sacred things. In secular contexts, it refers to an action or utterance that defies a deeply held belief or social convention.


SIMPLE

In some cultures, speaking against the local religion is considered blasphemy.

CONTEXTUAL

The artist faced intense public criticism and legal threats for what many religious leaders called an act of blasphemy.

COMPLEX

To the traditionalists in the physics department, suggesting that the fundamental laws of gravity were incorrect felt like scientific blasphemy.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English blasfemie, from Old French blasfemie, from Ecclesiastical Latin blasphēmia, from Ancient Greek βλασφημία (blasphēmía, “profanity”), from βλασφημέω (blasphēméō, “to slander”).

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general concept; countable when referring to specific instances or acts.

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