irreverent

adjective

ir·​rev·​er·​ent i-ˈre-v(ə-)rənt How to pronounce irreverent (audio)
ˌi(r)-,
-ˈre-vərnt
: lacking proper respect or seriousness
also : satiric
irreverently adverb

Examples of irreverent in a Sentence

He has a delightfully irreverent sense of humor. irreverent behavior during church services
Recent Examples on the Web Through his imagination, Henson brought an irreverent, zany, humanistic quality to the Muppets, Lintelman adds. Kelyn Soong, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 May 2024 Netflix premiered the first teaser for the fourth and final season of the irreverent comic book drama series Wednesday. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 30 May 2024 All Fours by Miranda July (Riverhead Books: $29) An irreverent and tender novel about a woman upending her life. The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024 O’Neal joined the broadcast in 2011, and the group’s irreverent and astute basketball analysis, unfettered by concerns about access or egos, has endeared it to viewers and critics. Tania Ganguli, New York Times, 28 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for irreverent 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'irreverent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin irreverent-, irreverens, from in- + reverent-, reverens reverent

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irreverent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near irreverent

Cite this Entry

“Irreverent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irreverent. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

irreverent

adjective
ir·​rev·​er·​ent (ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)ev-(ə-)rənt How to pronounce irreverent (audio)
-ərnt
: showing lack of reverence
irreverent joking and giggling in church
irreverence
-ˈ(r)ev-(ə-)rən(t)s
-ˈ(r)ev-ərn(t)s
noun
irreverently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on irreverent

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