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Glite Dictionary
profanely

profanely

1 8.6
Shows disrespect to religious things, often using swear words
  • adverb
  • /prəˈfeɪnli/
  • NSFW
translation icon : profanamente
  • He had a history of violence, he was drunk and high, and while trespassing, he profanely demanded money and brandished a broken bottle in my face.

Examples

  • Postmodernism, in her opinion, is "profanely ambivalent and ambiguous, rejoicing in consumption and celebrating obsessions, ignoring consistency and avoiding stability, favoring illusions and pleasure....

    Academic text (1996)

  • It was 8-1; I was booing Livan profanely from the solitude of my living room, and we were on our way to being down 2 games to 1. We came back with 3 in the fifth to halve their lead on Aurilia and Bonds' homers.

    Blog text (2)

  • Can we truly afford to spend all of that time profanely?

    Academic text (1993)

  • Sometimes, although not frequently, the researcher will mention a subject that cannot or should not be discussed profanely.

    Academic text (1991)

  • Still clutching his towel, he made a beeline for Favre and then screamed at him very loudly and very profanely.

    Blog text (6)

  • The comedian's routine was filled with profanely jokes that shocked the audience.

  • He spoke profanely about the rules of the game, showing his disrespect for tradition.

  • During the debate, she profanely criticized the policies of her opponent, alarming the attendees.

Synonyms

insultingly
vsprofanely
  • Offensive
2 5.9

In a rude way that tries to hurt someone's feelings

is similar but usually directed at religious or sacred targets
colorfully
vsprofanely
  • Offensive
1 7.5

Using rude words to show strong feeling

targets sacred disrespect specifically rather than general strong language
vulgarly
vsprofanely
  • NSFW
1 8.3

In a rude way when talking about sex or other dirty topics

adds a specific aim of offending sacred or religious subjects
derogatorily
vsprofanely
1 7.2

In a way that shows disrespect toward someone or something

is stronger, often aiming at sacred matters with offensive language
blasphemously
vsprofanely
1 9.8

In a way that shows disrespect for things people consider holy

is similar but highlights use of offensive words or language
impiously
vsprofanely
  • Formal
1 9.9

In a way that shows no respect for God or holy things

is the same attitude but often expressed with coarse or offensive language
sacrilegiously
vsprofanely
9.9

In a way that shows strong disrespect for something holy

is similar but emphasizes rude or offensive language in that disrespect
unholily
vsprofanely
9.7

In a rude way about religious things

is similar but stresses disrespect expressed through offensive speech
scurrilously
vsprofanely
  • Offensive
9.9

In a way that says very bad and untrue things about someone

focuses more on offending sacred things rather than general abuse

Antonyms

respectfully
101 2.3

In a polite way to someone

reverently
7 5.5

In a way that shows deep respect

How Irreverent

obscenely
  • Offensive
1 7.6
profanely
  • NSFW
1 8.6
irreverently
1 7.8

Surface Forms

profanely positive

Morphology

profanely = profane (transparent) = profane + ly

Standard adverbial formation from the adjective 'profane' using the productive suffix '-ly', so the meaning 'in a profane manner' is directly derived.

Etymology

Profanely comes from old Latin parts pro- 'before' and fanum 'temple', so it originally meant being 'outside the temple' or 'not sacred'. So, to speak profanely is to treat something others see as 'sacred' as not holy and to show disrespect, often with offensive words.