IRREVERENCE Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

irreverence

noun

i-ˈre-v(ə-)rən(t)s

Definition of irreverence

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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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 Viewed from the present, these young athlete-patriots seem to possess a quintessentially American mix of pride, irreverence, and subversion. — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 11 June 2026 The museum touts its irreverence, for example placing a portrait of George Washington by untrained artist Howard Finster with one by Gilbert Stuart. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026 Pratt’s main character energy proved attractive to (primarily out-of-state) donors as well as meme makers, who gravitated to his blend of righteousness and rage as well as irreverence. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 2026 How to analyze a poetics of irreverence and improvisation—of life experienced in a perpetual present—without stifling precisely these qualities? — Joe Dunthorne, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for irreverence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreverence

Noun

If the state decides to officially charge him with blasphemy, Pragiwaksono could go to trial.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 July 2026
Astorino, the textbook author, went so far as to decry the showcase as something close to blasphemy.

— John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026

Definition of blasphemy

Noun

That’s sacrilege on par with an Ohioan disowning football or a Texan recoiling at the smell of brisket, a Kentuckian thumbing his nose at college basketball.

— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 2 July 2026
Sure, Texans are very hospitable, but playing anything other than country music over the speakers is normally considered sacrilege in that establishment.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026

Definition of sacrilege

Noun

The lawsuit asserts claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and violations of state and local laws protecting freelance workers, as well as California’s Unfair Competition Law.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026
Grisham is currently suing Miller over violations of the terms of a confidential settlement related to his defamation case against her.

— Rachel Scott, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

He was convicted of offenses including desecration of national symbols, contempt and public disorder, and spent five years in the Guanajay prison near Havana.

— Reuters, NBC news, 19 July 2026
With the ruin of Troy also came the desecration of Zeus’ law, which proved dangerous to the returning Ithacans.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026

Definition of desecration

Noun

Danhausen transcended into the mainstream zeitgeist after cursing and un-cursing the New York Knicks en route to the team winning the NBA Championship after a 52-year drought.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
In about seven minutes, with pushing, shoving, and cursing, the agents cleared a path for the van.

— Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

Definition of cursing

Noun

His priorities include stopping corruption in Congress, making housing more affordable, protecting public lands, defending the Second Amendment and strengthening public schools, according to his website.

— Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
For years, Deborah Witzburg sounded the loudest alarm when uncovering hundreds of cases of corruption and fraud inside Chicago city government.

— Chris Tye, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of corruption

Noun

Several celebrities and their PR teams have denounced Perez for his viscous public insults, from Khloe Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, and Lady Gaga, a former friend of Perez.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
In recent years, Georgia’s State Election Board has been plagued by infighting, feuds, insults, partisan maneuvering and out-and-out shouting matches.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of insult

Browse Nearby Words

irretrievable

irreverence

irreverences

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Style

“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverence. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of irreverence

noun

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