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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lessons Unilever Can Learn from the Dollar Shave Club Experiment Unilever’s reasons for acquiring Dr. Squatch mirrors the rationale for acquiring Dollar Shave Club: cheeky, irreverent marketing that disrupts traditional grooming advertising and connects with male audiences. Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Hold Still ranks among my favorite artist memoirs, in part because of Mann’s no-nonsense, irreverent style, but also because of her keen revelations about the nature of art-making. Literary Hub july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025 La Ligne striped polo sweater $295 NET-A-PORTER Suzie Kondi Banker striped cotton-poplin shorts $275 NET-A-PORTER Opposites Attract Here, a boxy striped polo contrasts with Tory Burch’s mirrored skirt for an irreverent juxtaposition of casual and statement pieces. Christina Holevas, Vogue, 20 June 2025 Played by Neil Patrick Harris, Deadpool spouts irreverent comments and non-sequiturs that would make Seth MacFarlane blush, ranging from pop culture references to dunking on gaming's most annoying trends. Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for irreverent

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irreverent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irreverent. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on irreverent

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