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

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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 Cumming’s selection continues BAFTA’s recent tradition of choosing hosts who can balance irreverence with reverence, as the ceremony seeks to maintain its prestige while remaining accessible to a global audience. Alex Ritman, Variety, 18 Dec. 2025 In this case, Palazzolo borrows from another artist who shares the same irreverence for societal norms, all while questioning our society’s worship of labor. Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreverence
Noun
  • 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
  • As depicted in the movie, Lee was arrested multiple times for blasphemy and disturbing the peace.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
  • However, the amnesty explicitly excludes those convicted or prosecuted for homicide, drug trafficking, corruption, grave human rights violations, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
    Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
  • From a strategic standpoint, the danger lies less in any single violation than in their cumulative effect.
    Frederic Lemieux, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Brothers Keith and Terrence Nicks were found guilty by separate juries of desecration of human remains, removal of human remains and removal of more than 10 gravestones and markers.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Later that day, her 25-year-old son, Khadir Jones, was arrested and charged with desecration of human remains, My Central Jersey reported.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
  • What isn’t in the trailer are any cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, nudity or cursing.
    Tom Tapp, Deadline, 8 Feb. 2026
  • There’s gore, demogorgons, demodogs, sexuality, cursing, weapons, drinking, and even death.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The Texas attorney general beat a 2023 impeachment trial on corruption charges and reached a deal to end a long-running securities fraud case but now faces a contentious divorce over allegations of adultery.
    Meg Kinnard, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Demonstrators called for the country’s leaders to step down over widespread corruption, government paralysis and failing infrastructure, and for an end to the country’s sectarian power-sharing system.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Where Vance seems only to have desired to berate and insult, there was something more urgently coaxing in Rubio’s tone.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Employees at an El Dorado Hills fast food restaurant went on a one-day strike, after a manager reportedly flung insults and acted unprofessionally to Latino workers.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverence. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

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