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 of irreverent

• atheistic
• secular
• blasphemous
• sacrilegious
• impious
• profane
• pagan

Examples of irreverent in a Sentence

He has a delightfully irreverent sense of humor.

irreverent behavior during church services

Recent Examples on the Web

Their version is irreverent, but less conceptual and didactic about its sense of humor. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 26 Sep. 2026

So, perhaps fittingly, Spring/Break, New York’s most irreverent art fair, has taken residence. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Music writing was once attuned to a specific, irreverent fan sensibility, but audiences aren’t that walled in anymore. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026

Hals was lively and irreverent; Rembrandt dealt with subjects altogether more weighty. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 18 Sep. 2026

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