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
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Recent Examples of irreverence
Shows with women protagonists and nuanced explorations of their personal and professional lives reflect her wit, irreverence, and commitment to social justice.
—
Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Corso’s energetic blend of irreverence and showmanship broke the mold among college football commentators.
—Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Miu Miu Beauty has announced Miutine, the new feminine fragrance capturing the ultimate essence of the brand’s signature irreverence with a dash of youthful and unconventional spirit, is set to launch on August 27.
—Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The fragrance’s starting point was the consumer — especially Gen Zers, who are partial to a deep form of insouciance, with a liberating irreverence, market insights show.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Corso’s energetic blend of irreverence and showmanship broke the mold among college football commentators.
—Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Miu Miu Beauty has announced Miutine, the new feminine fragrance capturing the ultimate essence of the brand’s signature irreverence with a dash of youthful and unconventional spirit, is set to launch on August 27.
—Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The fragrance’s starting point was the consumer — especially Gen Zers, who are partial to a deep form of insouciance, with a liberating irreverence, market insights show.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreverence
Noun
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Another young man, Mashal Khan, a university student and poet, was lynched by a mob of fellow students who accused him of blasphemy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
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As depicted in the movie, Lee was arrested multiple times for blasphemy and disturbing the peace.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Doing anything else would be sacrilege to the faithful, as well as false to the friendship that exists at the center of this Broadway behemoth.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
18 Nov. 2025
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In 1998, the Lucky Chances casino opened, surrounded by graveyards on three side, which critics saw as a sacrilege.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The 20-month sentence imposed on Kim was a surprise after independent counsel Min Joong-ki called for a 15-year prison term on three charges, including stock price manipulation, political funding law violations and accepting bribes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
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Government entities that fail to clearly designate facilities as either male or female could face a $25,000 fine for a first violation and a $125,000 fine for subsequent violations.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Leonard was also charged in Linn County with interference with law enforcement, criminal desecration, and having a vicious dog at large, according to a news release from Kansas City, Kansas, police.—
Kendrick Calfee
Updated January 16,
Kansas City Star,
16 Jan. 2026
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The government called for a nationwide march on Monday in support of the regime and in opposition to what authorities described as recent acts of desecration and insults against Islamic symbols, including the Quran, by protesters.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Even aside from Trump’s own enthusiastic personal immorality and impiety, his political style — the pugnacious smear artist and demagogic braggart — was the antithesis of what evangelicals had sought before.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
23 Sep. 2025
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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
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There’s gore, demogorgons, demodogs, sexuality, cursing, weapons, drinking, and even death.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
8 Jan. 2026
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Pete Golding went from a cursing curiosity in the coaching ranks to taking on legendary status in Ole Miss football history Thursday night.—
Mike Griffith,
AJC.com,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The protests began in late December amid widespread anger over economic hardship, political repression and corruption, according to reports.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Yoon himself, as a prosecutor, helped bring down former President Park Geun-hye, who was imprisoned for corruption and abuse of power.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Apparently, my father approached the people hurling the insults and asked them to stop.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The president also called Walz and Frey himself Monday after weeks of hurling insults and accusing the Democratic officials of inciting resistance to the crackdown.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverence. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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