Crossword Genius

Blasphemy making girl cease playing (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sacrilege

'blasphemy' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'girl cease playing' is the wordplay.
'playing' is an anagram indicator.
'girl'+'cease'='girlcease'
'girlcease' is an anagram of 'SACRILEGE'.

'making' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for sacrilege that I've seen before include "Extreme disrespect for something holy" , "Impious act" , "Blasphemy" , "profanity" , "Disrespect or damage to something sacred" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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