irreverent

adjective

ir·​rev·​er·​ent i-ˈre-v(ə-)rənt 

ˌi(r)-,

-ˈre-vərnt

: lacking proper respect or seriousness

also : satiric

irreverently adverb

Synonyms

• atheistical
• atheistic
• secular
• blasphemous
• sacrilegious
• impious

Examples of irreverent in a Sentence

He has a delightfully irreverent sense of humor.

irreverent behavior during church services

Recent Examples on the Web

Mentorship, Humor And Queer Resilience Reigns structures Outliving Michael as a series of vignettes, each poem distilling a memory that compounds to build a complete portrait of Church, a man of emotional depth and irreverent charm. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

This is a jazz film held together by Herzog’s distinctive narration with its irreverent sense of humor. —Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025

The submissions tell a story of Massachusetts that is equal parts reverent and irreverent, with Bay Staters leaning on history while having fun with their future. —Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Maher’s body-positive mentality and irreverent sense of humor has long been on display on social media. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for irreverent

• reverent

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

-ˈ(r)ev-(ə-)rən(t)s

-ˈ(r)ev-ərn(t)s

noun

irreverently adverb