impious

/ɪmˈpaɪəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈpaɪəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈim-pē-əs (ˌ)im-ˈpī-/ (ame, mw)

impious — adjective

  • impiouspositive
  • more impiouscomparative
  • most impioussuperlative

1. behaving or speaking in a way that treats God, religion, or sacred things with o

1.形容詞C1
釋義

behaving or speaking in a way that treats God, religion, or sacred things with open contempt — for example, mocking a religious ceremony or refusing to follow religious customs.

例句

The villagers considered Nadia's speech impious because she spoke against the temple's traditions.

subject-verb-object pattern with 'consider + noun + adjective'

Chen was accused of making impious jokes about the statues in the old cathedral.

同義詞
  • irreverent

    broader meaning — can apply to any respected person, institution, or tradition, not only religion

  • blasphemous

    stronger and narrower — specifically refers to insulting God or sacred beliefs

  • sacrilegious

    focuses on treating holy places, objects, or ceremonies with disrespect

  • profane

    can mean showing contempt for sacred things, but also commonly refers to vulgar or obscene language

反義詞
  • pious

    the direct opposite — showing genuine respect for God and religious practices

  • devout

    sincerely and deeply committed to religious faith

  • reverent

    showing deep respect, often in a religious or solemn context

用法筆記

Typically found in formal or literary contexts describing speech or actions that violate religious norms. Less common in everyday conversation than the broader term 'irreverent', which can apply to non-religious subjects as well.

常見錯誤

❌He made an unpious remark during the funeral.
✅He made an impious remark during the funeral.
💡'unpious' is not a standard English word; the correct adjective is 'impious'.
❌She was impious to her parents.
✅She was disrespectful to her parents.
💡'impious' is almost always used in a religious context, not for general disrespect toward people.