What does blasphemy mean?
Blasphemy is the act of speaking irreverently or contemptuously about God, a deity, or things held to be sacred. The word names both the general offence and any specific utterance judged to be profane, such as mocking a religious ritual or denying core doctrines. Historically, blasphemy has been treated as a grave transgression: many societies criminalised it, and in some jurisdictions today it remains a punishable crime. Beyond its strict religious sense, blasphemy is often used figuratively to condemn any affront to something regarded as untouchable, whether a national institution, a beloved work of art, or a cultural tradition — usually with a tone that may be earnest or playfully hyperbolic. Its related forms include the verb "blaspheme," the adjective "blasphemous," and the noun "blasphemer." Because the term implies a violation of deeply held belief, it carries considerable emotional weight and should be used with awareness of its seriousness.
nounThe act or offence of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things; irreverent or profane language or conduct directed at what is considered holy.
- Irreverent, profane speech or writing directed against God, a deity, or sacred things; an utterance of this kind.
- (By extension) Any statement or behaviour regarded as grossly disrespectful toward something widely held to be sacred or beyond criticism.
"His joke about the sacrament was condemned by the congregation as blasphemy."
"Under medieval canon law, blasphemy was among the gravest offences a speaker could commit."
"Calling that film overrated isn't heresy — it's practically blasphemy in this house."
Used when referring to individual acts or utterances rather than the concept in general.
"Medieval chroniclers recorded the many blasphemies uttered by the accused heretic."
In parts of the world today, blasphemy can still carry the death penalty — a word that has cost more lives than most insults ever spoken.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of blasphemy
Blasphemy comes from the Greek "blasphemia", formed from "blaptein" (to harm) and "pheme" (speech), literally meaning injurious speech. Latin adopted the word as "blasphemia", and it passed into Old French before entering English around the thirteenth century, where it originally carried the broader sense of slander or evil-speaking before narrowing chiefly to irreverence toward God. Cognates appear across European languages, including French "blasphème" and Spanish "blasfemia", all tracing back to the same Greek root.
Related word forms
How blasphemy is actually used
"Blasphemy" carries strong formal and religious connotations and is typically used in serious contexts involving religion, law, or morality. In informal usage it is often applied figuratively and half-jokingly to any challenge to something treated as sacrosanct. It is an uncountable noun in its general sense but takes the plural "blasphemies" when referring to individual utterances.
Easily confused with blasphemy
Sacrilege is the violation or misuse of something sacred (such as a place or object), while blasphemy is specifically irreverent speech or words against God or holy things.