blasphemous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "blasphemous" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that is considered to be offensive or disrespectful to something that is held sacred. For example: "The vandal who painted graffiti on the church walls was guilty of a blasphemous act."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Braised brisket subs in for seared rib-eye, provolone for the typical Wiz or American cheese, while additions of horseradish mayo, hot peppers, roasted tomatoes and a fried egg are considered downright blasphemous.

The Guardian - Travel

3. The Welsh Captain describes Pistol as a "rascally, scald [scabby], beggarly, lousy, pragging [show-off] knave" in Henry 5. 4. Sebastian calls the Boatswain a "bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog" in The Tempest. 5. Kent says Oswald is a "knave, beggar, coward, pander [pimp], and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch" in King Lear.

The Guardian

There is no such thing as being a "little bit blasphemous", of course, and Muslims are already reacting with predictable sadness and indeed anger to the cover.

The Guardian - Opinion

The move is aimed at protecting the sensibilities of Indians from blasphemous material, though the volume of content posted online by India's 100m internet users makes any such regulation impossible.

The Economist

Some years later, King Louis Phillippe had Honoré Daumier, a cartoonist, thrown in jail, arguing that "a pamphlet is no more than a violation of opinion, a caricature amounts to an act of violence".The natural potency of a cartoon is made more volatile when mixed with anything blasphemous, such as a depiction of Mohammed.

The Economist

Since 2009, Ireland has had a law which penalises "the��publication or utterance of blasphemous matter" with a fine of up to €25,000.

The Economist

Police have also taken to snooping around Cairo art galleries, apparently in the hope of finding pornography or, better yet, blasphemous material.The rich and powerful are feeling the pinch, too: several have recently been convicted of corruption.

The Economist

What was, in earlier centuries, revered by the wise and the sane, has become, in our post-apocalyptic age, food for a mind diseased.Anyone who finds Will Self's critique of Revelation blasphemous must at least accept that he recognises its power.

The Economist

"BLASPHEMOUS" was how the information minister described an article in the Zimbabwe Independent complaining about President Robert Mugabe's habit of commandeering commercial passenger jets for his own use.

The Economist

Indeed belief in the prophethood of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad itself was blasphemous, because it defiled the name of the Prophet Muhammad a capital crime.Ali Dayan Hasan of Human Rights Watch points out that while the government persecutes Ahmadi some 400 Ahmadis have been charged in the past decade it rarely brings cases against the perpetrators of anti-Ahmadi violence.

The Economist

Last month, bearded mobs burnt down the offices of the Frontier Post, a Peshawar newspaper that had inadvertently printed a blasphemous letter.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "blasphemous", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific religious or sacred element is being disrespected. This adds clarity and avoids misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "blasphemous" loosely to describe things that are merely unconventional or offensive. Reserve it for situations genuinely involving disrespect toward the sacred.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "blasphemous" primarily functions to describe something that is considered disrespectful or irreverent towards sacred entities or beliefs. It qualifies nouns, indicating that the noun is characterized by a lack of piety or respect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blasphemous" is an adjective used to describe something that lacks reverence for what is considered sacred, as Ludwig AI accurately indicated. It's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, most notably in News & Media and Encyclopedias. When using this word, ensure the context clearly indicates the object of disrespect. Common alternatives include "sacrilegious", "profane", and "impious". The most frequent authoritative sources of examples are The Economist and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sacrilegious

Refers to violating or profaning something sacred; similar to blasphemous but focuses more on the act of violation.

desecrating

Describes the act of violating the sacredness of something; similar to sacrilegious.

impious

Characterizes a lack of reverence or respect for God or religious practices; closely aligns with the core meaning of blasphemous.

profane

Describes something that is not sacred or religious and is often considered disrespectful; broader than blasphemous.

contemptuous of religion

Expresses open disrespect or disdain for religious beliefs or practices; a more descriptive alternative to blasphemous.

irreverent

Describes a lack of respect or seriousness, especially towards things that are usually treated with respect; can extend to religious contexts.

ungodly

Implies wickedness and a lack of religious principles; can be used to describe actions that are considered blasphemous.

irreligious

Indicates a lack of religious belief or practice; related to blasphemous by implying a disregard for religious norms.

heretical

Relates to beliefs or opinions that contradict established religious doctrine; a specific form of blasphemy involving theological disagreement.

atheistic

Related to the belief that God does not exist, therefore not respecting the religious belief.

FAQs

How is "blasphemous" used in a sentence?

The word "blasphemous" is used to describe something that shows a lack of respect for God or other things considered holy. For example: "His comments were considered "blasphemous" by many members of the church".

What words are similar to "blasphemous"?

Alternatives to "blasphemous" include "sacrilegious", "profane", or "impious", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "blasphemous" to describe secular actions?

While "blasphemous" primarily refers to religious disrespect, it can be metaphorically extended to secular contexts if the action is seen as violating a deeply held principle or value, but such usage should be considered carefully.

What's the difference between "blasphemous" and "heretical"?

"Blasphemous" generally refers to showing contempt or lack of reverence for God or religious things, while "heretical" refers to beliefs that contradict established religious doctrine. "Heretical" views can be seen as blasphemous, but not all blasphemy involves heresy.