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

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

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