SuaviloquyToday’s word

blasphemy

Blasphemy, n.

Etymology: [L. blasphemia, Gr. : cf. OF. blasphemie.]

1. An indignity offered to God in words, writing, or signs; impiously irreverent words or signs addressed to, or used in reference to, God; speaking evil of God; also, the act of claiming the attributes or prerogatives of deity.

Note: When used generally in statutes or at common law, blasphemy is the use of irreverent words or signs in reference to the Supreme Being in such a way as to produce scandal or provoke violence.

2. Figuratively, of things held in high honor: Calumny; abuse; vilification. Punished for his blasphemy against learning. Bacon.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for blasphemy; he lists it under oath.

Where he writes about it:

In the lower sense, an oath may be mere blasphemy or profane swearing. — from oath

Synonyms

oathadjurationaffidavitanathemabanblasphemingcursecursingdenunciationexecrationimprecationmaledictionprofane swearingprofanityreprobationswearingsworn statementvow

Antonyms

benedictionbenisonblessingreligion

etymologyWebster’s online