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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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 There’s loneliness, pain and self-destruction in her binge drinking, humor that comes in her wild and free dancing, and irreverence in hanging with her beloved super-pup Krypto. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 June 2026 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 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

When Debbie, Susan, and Thom come over for a double-date pizza night, only Bret is concerned about the spate of recent home invasions, the missing pets, and the desecration of the griffin mascot.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
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

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

That committee adjourned without action, but Madigan was later convicted on corruption charges and is serving a 7 1/2-year federal prison sentence.

— Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Minotaur, which won Cannes’ runner-up prize, the Grand Prix, explores personal, political and patriarchal corruption in contemporary Russia.

— Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of corruption

Noun

There’s blood and insults and exasperation and pain and horror.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
The amendment aims to prevent players from hiding insults or other abuse — including discriminatory remarks — behind their hand, arm or jersey.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of insult

Browse Nearby Words

irretrievable

irreverence

irreverences

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“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverence. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of irreverence

noun

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