as in sacrilege
an act of great disrespect shown to God or to sacred ideas, people, or things
in the 17th century the Quakers were persecuted for beliefs and practices that older churches regarded as blasphemies
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Recent Examples of blasphemy
While in prison for blasphemy, Lee had a risqué vision of Adam and Eve, and concluded that celibacy was the cure for worldly temptation.
—
Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Pakistan weaponizes blasphemy laws and bombs Advent services.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Pakistan has seen a significant spike in blasphemy cases in recent years, in line with the TLP's rise.
—NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Today, Charlie Hebdo’s blasphemy would be more contested by a France more wary of Islamophobia, Arzoumanov said.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blasphemy
Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Pakistan weaponizes blasphemy laws and bombs Advent services.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Pakistan has seen a significant spike in blasphemy cases in recent years, in line with the TLP's rise.
—NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Today, Charlie Hebdo’s blasphemy would be more contested by a France more wary of Islamophobia, Arzoumanov said.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blasphemy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blasphemy
Noun
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At many Jewish institutions, rejecting Zionism is indeed regarded as a form of sacrilege.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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That’s the ultimate Hollywood sacrilege.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In both films, the effect is of a diminution, a depersonalization—not to say, a desecration of the experience of horror that the documentary element embodies.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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Brothers Keith and Terrence Nicks were found guilty by separate juries of desecration of human remains, removal of human remains and removal of more than 10 gravestones and markers.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The warrant was issued as part of an investigation into narcotics violations, police said.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Now called The Palms — records show the home changed ownership both in 2018 and 2019 — the ALF has been cited by health regulators for 90 violations since 2012.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The event, organized by the Shelby County Republican Party, turned out a small crowd and was greeted by some supportive honks from motorists, but also some cursing at Trump from people in at least two cars passing by.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
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And as Siniaková showed emotion of her own in the joy of vanquishing such a favorite, Andreeva started her walk out of the stadium that would end in cursing and acrimony.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Even aside from Trump’s own enthusiastic personal immorality and impiety, his political style — the pugnacious smear artist and demagogic braggart — was the antithesis of what evangelicals had sought before.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
23 Sep. 2025
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By one hand, he is bound to himself, to his impiety, his recklessness, his envy and pride, his guilt and spite.—
Merve Emre,
The New Yorker,
16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Over the past decade, United States Attorney’s Offices in New York City, Boston and Philadelphia have charged dozens of individuals in corruption and fraud schemes involving college coaches, players and athletic department personnel.—
Robert L. Boone,
Sportico.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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Four people were charged Tuesday in connection a federal corruption investigation that has ensnared NYC Councilmember Farah Louis and a nonprofit providing homeless services to the city.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Scottish hen parties were deemed to contain ritualistic profanation.—
Victor J. Blue,
Harpers Magazine,
23 Nov. 2025
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No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move; ’Twere profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love.—
John Edgar Wideman,
The New Yorker,
8 July 2021
Noun
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Conan O’Brien hosted for the second straight year, with the right amount of bratty irreverence.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2026
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Shot through the lens of director Yorgos Lanthimos' darkly comedic irreverence, this is a (gloriously) nasty piece of work, and Colman is more than willing to get her hands dirty.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blasphemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blasphemy. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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