irreverent
adjective
ir·rev·er·ent
i-ˈre-v(ə-)rənt 
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
Perhaps the best way to describe it is a wonderful crucible of creative energy, fusing different art forms in a celebratory, witty and irreverent manner.
—
Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2023
During the band's first US tour, 4th June 1964 (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
SPIN is bringing conversation-starting and often controversial and irreverent music lists to television.
—Marisa Whitaker, Spin, 13 Sep. 2023
That, and the ability to take his work seriously — even at its most lighthearted and irreverent — without taking himself too seriously.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2023
Known as vociferous and irreverent, Mr. Spicer favored safari suits and Panama hats while working as an editor in Ottawa (where the average low temperature ranges from 6 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 60 in July).
—Sam Roberts, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023
Mike Sutton Technical Editor Mike Sutton is an editor, writer, test driver, and general car nerd who has contributed to Car and Driver's reverent and irreverent passion for the automobile since 2008.
—Mike Sutton, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2023
Nobody told Huggins to go on a notoriously irreverent Cincinnati radio show May 8 and make homophobic comments that put him on the razor’s edge of losing his job.
—Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 11 July 2023
The irreverent bilingual tale features Herbert Siguenza from the Chicano performance troupe Culture Clash as the lovelorn knight.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023
The result is a dynamic, diverse group of men that captures the irreverent, independent spirit of the brand.
—Ian Malone, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2023
See More
Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2023
During the band's first US tour, 4th June 1964 (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
SPIN is bringing conversation-starting and often controversial and irreverent music lists to television.
—Marisa Whitaker, Spin, 13 Sep. 2023
That, and the ability to take his work seriously — even at its most lighthearted and irreverent — without taking himself too seriously.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2023
Known as vociferous and irreverent, Mr. Spicer favored safari suits and Panama hats while working as an editor in Ottawa (where the average low temperature ranges from 6 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 60 in July).
—Sam Roberts, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023
Mike Sutton Technical Editor Mike Sutton is an editor, writer, test driver, and general car nerd who has contributed to Car and Driver's reverent and irreverent passion for the automobile since 2008.
—Mike Sutton, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2023
Nobody told Huggins to go on a notoriously irreverent Cincinnati radio show May 8 and make homophobic comments that put him on the razor’s edge of losing his job.
—Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 11 July 2023
The irreverent bilingual tale features Herbert Siguenza from the Chicano performance troupe Culture Clash as the lovelorn knight.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023
The result is a dynamic, diverse group of men that captures the irreverent, independent spirit of the brand.
—Ian Malone, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2023
See More
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 29 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
irreverent
adjective
ir·rev·er·ent
(ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)ev-(ə-)rənt
-ərnt
: showing lack of reverence
irreverent joking and giggling in church
irreverence
noun
-ˈ(r)ev-(ə-)rən(t)s
-ˈ(r)ev-ərn(t)s
irreverently
adverb
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