irreverence

noun

ir·​rev·​er·​ence i-ˈre-v(ə-)rən(t)s 

ˌi(r)-, 

-ˈre-vərn(t)s

1

: lack of reverence

2

: an irreverent act or utterance

Synonyms of irreverence

• blasphemy
• sacrilege
• violation
• desecration
• impiety
• cursing
• corruption
• insult
• profanation

Examples of irreverence in a Sentence

the sect has no tolerance for any irreverence directed toward their spiritual leader

Recent Examples on the Web

The screening usually focusses on clandestine hanky-panky, but this season the girls’ irreverence was so abundant that the producers treated them to an unprecedented second viewing night. — Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026

There’s loneliness, pain and self-destruction in her binge drinking, humor that comes in her wild and free dancing, and irreverence in hanging with her beloved super-pup Krypto. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 June 2026

The museum touts its irreverence, for example placing a portrait of George Washington by untrained artist Howard Finster with one by Gilbert Stuart. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026

Pratt’s main character energy proved attractive to (primarily out-of-state) donors as well as meme makers, who gravitated to his blend of righteousness and rage as well as irreverence. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for irreverence

• reverence
• severance