blaspheme: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Low Frequency)Formal, Literary, Religious, Legal
Quick answer
What does “blaspheme” mean?
To speak irreverently about God or sacred things.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To speak irreverently about God or sacred things; to utter profanities or curses against the divine.
To show contempt or irreverence towards any deeply held belief, principle, or revered person, treating them with gross disrespect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major syntactic or semantic differences. The noun 'blasphemer' and related terms are used identically.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries strong religious and moral weight. In American public discourse, it may be invoked more frequently in contexts of free speech debates.
Frequency
Equally low frequency and formal in both dialects. Possibly slightly more common in UK historical/legal texts due to the existence of the now-abolished common law offence of blasphemous libel.
Grammar
How to Use “blaspheme” in a Sentence
[Subject] + blaspheme (intransitive)[Subject] + blaspheme + [Object] (transitive)[Subject] + blaspheme + against + [Object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blaspheme” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The historical statute made it a crime to blaspheme against the established Church.
- She felt it was wicked to blaspheme in such a holy place.
American English
- The preacher warned that those who blaspheme will face judgment.
- The film was banned in several countries for blaspheming the prophet.
adjective
British English
- The actor faced death threats for his blasphemous portrayal of a saint.
- They were accused of publishing blasphemous material.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theological, historical, legal, and literary studies discussing religious offence or freedom of speech.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would be used only in serious religious discussions or accusations.
Technical
Used in religious law (canon law, sharia) and historical legal contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blaspheme”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'criticize' (e.g., 'He blasphemed the government' is incorrect unless the government is deified).
- Confusing spelling: 'blasph**e**me' not 'blasph**a**me'.
- Using it intransitively without context making the object clear (e.g., 'He was arrested for blaspheming' is correct; 'He blasphemed yesterday' is vague).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally and strictly, no. Its core meaning is irreverence toward God or the sacred. In extended, often figurative use (e.g., 'He blasphemed the spirit of the law'), it can apply to secular principles held as sacred, but this is literary and rare.
'Swear' is a broad term for using offensive or taboo language. 'Blaspheme' is a specific subset of swearing that targets the divine or the sacred. All blasphemy is swearing, but not all swearing is blasphemy.
Yes, the noun is 'blasphemy'. The person who commits blasphemy is a 'blasphemer'. The adjective is 'blasphemous'.
Blasphemy laws have been repealed or are inactive in many Western countries (like the UK and Canada), but they remain in force in some nations, often with severe penalties. It is primarily a religious and social concept rather than a common legal one in secular democracies.
To speak irreverently about God or sacred things.
Blaspheme is usually formal, literary, religious, legal in register.
Blaspheme: in British English it is pronounced /blasˈfiːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /blæsˈfiːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The unforgivable sin (often associated with blaspheming against the Holy Spirit)”
- “To take the Lord's name in vain (a weaker, more common idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BLASPHEME' sounds like 'blast fame'—to blast or attack the fame/reputation of something sacred.
Conceptual Metaphor
IRREVERENT SPEECH IS A PHYSICAL ASSAULT ON THE SACRED (e.g., 'His words were an attack on the faith').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'blaspheme' MOST appropriately used?