as in blasphemy
an act of great disrespect shown to God or to sacred ideas, people, or things
the sect has no tolerance for any irreverence directed toward their spiritual leader
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of irreverence
British watchmaking is stepping out of Switzerland’s shadow, carving a new identity rooted in creativity, collaboration, and a touch of irreverence.
—
Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
His latest collection reflected his distinct theatricality, sensuality, and artistic irreverence, in addition to staying true to the house’s rebellious DNA.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
One of the great things about standup comedy is the freedom and the irreverence of it.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
Page brought streetwise irreverence and church-house parody into her routines, proving that Black women could own their sexuality, and spirituality all at once.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
His latest collection reflected his distinct theatricality, sensuality, and artistic irreverence, in addition to staying true to the house’s rebellious DNA.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
One of the great things about standup comedy is the freedom and the irreverence of it.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
Page brought streetwise irreverence and church-house parody into her routines, proving that Black women could own their sexuality, and spirituality all at once.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreverence
Noun
-
Many religious people who are not fluent in Italian who laughed at the meme or even repeated the words felt that they were tricked into blasphemy.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
29 May 2025
-
In a mix of fascination, irreverence, fandom and possible blasphemy, video compilations of cardinals with Charli XCX soundtracks have popped up online.—
Emma Bubola,
New York Times,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
To sully that legacy seems like sartorial sacrilege.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
18 June 2025
-
Lea has dropped out of medical school to become a reformed Rabbi – which to her father is a sacrilege.—
Tom Teicholz,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
Teachers need frameworks for distinguishing between appropriate AI use and academic integrity violations.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
-
Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants within the city limits of Fort Worth for June 1st - June 14th, 2025.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
Throughout the movie, others caution Venis to shut down his deepfake AI tools which have led to military conflict and the desecration of holy sites across the world.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
31 May 2025
-
Yet Jesus becomes angered by the desecration of the temple and begins tipping over the merchants' tables in the holy place while wielding a righteous whip.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
By one hand, he is bound to himself, to his impiety, his recklessness, his envy and pride, his guilt and spite.—
Merve Emre,
The New Yorker,
16 Dec. 2024
-
By one hand, he is bound to himself, to his impiety, his recklessness, his envy and pride, his guilt and spite.—
Merve Emre,
The New Yorker,
16 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The law aims to curb corruption and undue influence in federal campaigns.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
-
The daughter of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been accused of corruption, misusing public funds, and threatening to assassinate former ally and current president Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—
Cecilia Hult,
Fortune,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
Under it, anyone who defames, insults or threatens the King, Queen, heir apparent, or regent faces three to 15 years in prison.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
26 June 2025
-
To suggest that the lawsuit is a look into the past insults understatement, and in the process calls into question the worth of the FTC.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Scottish hen parties were deemed to contain ritualistic profanation.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
-
No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move; ’Twere profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love.—
John Edgar Wideman,
The New Yorker,
8 July 2021
Cite this Entry
“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverence. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share