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
  • Shock and anger greeted the Pakistani Supreme Court's decision to uphold the conviction and death sentence of a Christian man accused of blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad.
    — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Or a plot to divert attention from Murphy’s blasphemy of her famously lucky number 13?
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 25 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
  • The Lakers, playing with Sexton as their primary ballhandler during the stretch, had four turnovers during the drought, including a shot clock violation after a timeout.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The building didn’t just fall into disrepair but was legally condemned by the town of Branford due to fire safety and other code violations.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • That belief is not Christianity, but a desecration of that religious tradition as severe as taking a sword to desecrate an altar.
    — Seth Limmer, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The ghoul had become an emblem of desecration, a predator violating the boundary between life and death, a corruptor of what was wholesome and decent.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 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
  • Johannesburg’s mayoral race reveals a city frustrated by years of corruption and crumbling infrastructure – and a country at a crossroad.
    — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Those interests include concerns about affordability, the Iran war and corruption.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • Initially billed as a publicity stunt from billionaire Bill Koch (brother to conservative bundlers Charles and David Koch), the women overcame considerable odds — and loads of sexist insults — to defeat some of the world’s greatest sailors.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Stairs took it as an insult, marching offstage just before the set ended.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 10 Nov. 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 12 Nov. 2026.

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