irreverent

adjective

ir·​rev·​er·​ent i-ˈre-v(ə-)rənt How to pronounce irreverent (audio)
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 Yet part of Doja Cat’s eclectic brand is her wild and irreverent streaks, which largely plays out on social media platforms. Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 The series, which started as a weekly manga comic before being adapted into a TV anime series, mixed thrilling action with irreverent humor and colorful characters. EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024 The point was to be irreverent, and to be different from the typical facade that our culture forced us to accept. David Oliver, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 This, of course, was all made to look as if Cera had gone rogue, but relatively savvy consumers could tell there was an irreverent marketing team behind the curtain. Marci Robin, Allure, 8 Feb. 2024 Detroit ran with that concept and launched its primary competitor, Creem, embracing a more rambunctious, irreverent voice. Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 26 Jan. 2024 Luttwak is an eccentric 81-year-old strategist who consults for governments and has written books on the grand strategy of the Roman Empire, an irreverent guide to launching a coup, and several tomes on warfare. Shashank Joshi, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 The exhibition marks a major solo outing for Terrill in Los Angeles, putting a spotlight on an artist and activist who, for decades, has chronicled his life and that of a circle of Chicano intimates in poignant and irreverent ways. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024 That version has become a kind of template for a long succession of deeply irreverent covers of iconic songs. Jem Aswad, Variety, 11 Feb. 2024

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 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

irreverent

adjective
ir·​rev·​er·​ent (ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)ev-(ə-)rənt How to pronounce irreverent (audio)
-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

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