impiety

/ɪmˈpaɪədi/

Other forms: impieties

Impiety is a disrespect for the sacred. For example, visitors are advised not to wear shorts or tank tops when touring certain churches and cathedrals in Europe, because doing so is viewed as impiety by those who worship there.

English offers many options to describe disrespect. Impudence, insolence, sass, and irreverence are a few choices. Impiety sets itself apart from these in that it describes a lack of respect for a deity, like a god or God, or for worship itself. Piety is devotion or reverence, so impiety is a lack of devotion or reverence — such as making fun of other people's religious beliefs.

Definitions of impiety

1. noun

   unrighteousness by virtue of lacking respect for a god
   synonyms: impiousness

   antonyms:

   piety

   righteousness by virtue of being pious

   types:

   undutifulness

   impiety characterized by lack of devotion to duty

   irreligion, irreligiousness

   the quality of not being devout

   godlessness, ungodliness

   impiety by virtue of not being a godly person

   type of:

   unrighteousness

   failure to adhere to moral principles