irreverent

adjective

i-ˈre-v(ə-)rənt How to pronounce irreverent (audio)
Definition of irreverentnext
as in atheistic
not showing proper reverence for the holy or sacred irreverent behavior during church services

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of irreverent The Carnaby expertly mixes Ramsay’s reputation for Michelin star culinary excellence with a 1960s British Invasion rock n’ roll vibe that’s retro hip, energetic and just a bit irreverent. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 July 2026 The tradition dates to Glasgow, where placing bright orange traffic cones atop public statues began as a late-night prank in the 1980s before evolving into an unofficial symbol of the country’s irreverent humor. — Leah Willingham, Fortune, 15 July 2026 The YouTube channel Dude Perfect showcases the antics of five adult friends—usually of an irreverent nature or featuring an outsized and random athletic contest. — Belinda Luscombe, Time, 14 July 2026 The filmmaker is known for his dark, irreverent humor with a twist-storytelling. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for irreverent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreverent
  1. atheistic
  2. secular
  3. blasphemous
  4. sacrilegious
  5. impious
  6. profane
  7. pagan
Adjective
  • His father's death during World War II influenced his pursuit of the ministry even amid the officially atheistic communist regime of the Soviet Union, according to his obituary on the OCU website.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • But there has been a recent rise in secular congregations that explicitly mimic religious organizations and rituals to celebrate atheistic worldviews.
    — Jacqui Frost, The Conversation, 11 Jan. 2024
Definition of atheistic
Adjective
  • These and other initiatives are focusing on secular Jews and adherents to Reform Judaism.
    — Giovanna Dell'Orto, Fortune, 31 July 2026
  • Those protests insisting on secular citizenship were led by Muslim community organizations and students and supported by secular Indians.
    — Yamini Aiyar, Time, 29 July 2026
Definition of secular
Adjective
  • Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, then Iran's supreme leader, denounced the book as blasphemous, leading to a call for Rushdie's death in 1989, according to the Department of Justice.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 July 2026
  • Some Muslims saw it as blasphemous, and often-violent protests erupted against Rushdie, who was born into a Muslim family.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Definition of blasphemous
Adjective
  • Because xenia rested on mutual trust, violating it was considered not just rude but sacrilegious.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026
  • So special that the very idea of wearing them again was sacrilegious.
    — Rebecca Cope, Vogue, 7 July 2026
Definition of sacrilegious
Adjective
  • Many other traditionalists have made a version of Scruton’s critique, insisting that contemporary art reflects self-indulgent, relativistic, and impious tendencies.
    — Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
  • While no formal announcement has been made to update its longstanding alcohol ban, Andrew Leber of Tulane University said this is in line with the Kingdom’s past approach to such potentially impious reforms.
    — Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Definition of impious
Adjective
  • But the school’s dress code prohibits messages that are lewd, indecent, vulgar or profane.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026
  • While his exhortation left off Brady’s signature profane intensifier, the motivational gambit remained explicit even in the absence of the familiar F-bomb.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of profane
Adjective
  • There’s more than a tinge of folk horror to this lingering mystery, which brings to mind the 1973 genre landmark The Wicker Man, in which a puritanical police officer travels to a remote island community that’s reverted to old pagan ways.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 15 June 2026
  • Glenn Turner, the former owner of a pagan and metaphysical shop, is running as a member of the Green Party.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Definition of pagan

Browse Nearby Words

irreverences
irreverent
irreversible
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Cite this Entry

“Irreverent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverent. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of irreverent for Spanish Speakers

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