irreverence

noun

i-ˈre-v(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce irreverence (audio)
Definition of irreverencenext
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

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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 Noah Goldstein, Sir Dylan, and Jake Miller, who produced the song with Rosalía, were surgical in structuring this masterpiece together, juxtaposing the song’s irreverence with its intense spirituality. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026 While the lobby is trés analogue, the rooms embrace modernity, and each features a lounge area that combines midcentury-modern furniture with art that evokes grunge-era irreverence. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 But also to the success speaking to a desire for authenticity and irreverence. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026 But who doesn’t want to celebrate the legendary singer’s lifelong philanthropy, literacy efforts and sheer irreverence? — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreverence
  1. blasphemy
  2. sacrilege
  3. violation
  4. desecration
  5. impiety
  6. cursing
  7. corruption
  8. insult
Noun
  • Or a plot to divert attention from Murphy’s blasphemy of her famously lucky number 13?
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • That might have sounded like blasphemy just half a decade ago, but college football is always evolving, and Swinney is a man stuck in time.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of blasphemy
Noun
  • Advertisement To the Eagle Family, these scenes were sacrilege.
    — Abdelrahman ElGendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
  • While this might seem like capitalist sacrilege, Gearin says there’s historical precedent for Indigenous peoples using plant medicine as a tool to navigate the practical demands of the world.
    — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of sacrilege
Noun
  • This was a violation at the opening inspection and was to be corrected prior to opening.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The law firm said that a license plate violation will not add points on your DMV record.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • The gang steals sacred objects, but their movements around them can resemble ceremony not desecration.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
  • These are two examples of politicians' truths among a plethora of others that are really lies, distortions, deceptions and desecrations of the citizens' trust in them.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of desecration
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
Definition of impiety
Noun
  • Seeman was caught on camera cursing at McBride during the Cardinals’ loss at the New York Giants.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Paxton had argued that the law-school clinic was not a classroom but a workplace, and that Fisher was punished not for expressing political views but because her cursing and volume had disrupted clinic business.
    — Benjamin Wofford, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of cursing
Noun
  • Room for Disagreement Kenyan critics of the AFCON infrastructure developments have argued that the projects have been an avenue for corruption and risk escalating Kenya’s $98 billion debt burden.
    — Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The students also demanded changes in the judiciary and urgent investigations in top-level corruption cases that might have been sidelined due to political pressure under Vucic.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • But the Rodriguez and other members of the Cuban delegation began banging the desks, calling for a point of order and shouting insults at Waltz.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The examination showed that Parker and Smith had exchanged dozens of texts, which include obscenities and insults, in the days before Parker's disappearance.
    — News Editor, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of insult

Browse Nearby Words

irretrievable
irreverence
irreverences
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Cite this Entry

“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverence. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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