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 The screening usually focusses on clandestine hanky-panky, but this season the girls’ irreverence was so abundant that the producers treated them to an unprecedented second viewing night. — Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026 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 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

Filming a talk show on a moving train brings its own set of audio and visual problems, but making this show any other way would be sacrilege.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of sacrilege

Noun

Miles says similar texts were sent to others about the recall, and that the texts constitute quid pro quo, a major ethics violation.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
The party also viewed Yabloko’s stance on Ukraine as unlawful and tantamount to calling for the violation of Russia’s territorial integrity.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of violation

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

Hoodoo was not only considered a means of assisting people; it has also been associated with hexing or cursing and, in the 18th and 19th centuries, with poisoning.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of cursing

Noun

Times when this line has fundamentally blurred, such as with Nixon and Watergate, have been some of the most notorious instances of overreach and corruption in our history.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Collins has been behind in numerous polls, and has been fighting a House ethics investigation and accusations of corruption and associations with white supremacists throughout his campaign.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of corruption

Noun

Whether that’s a compliment or an insult depends on your perspective.

— Omar Kelly August 17, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026
The Fantasy Football Draft is that magical stretch of hours where friends, enemies and division nemesis all cram into one room to sling insults with the confidence of seasoned analysts.

— Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of insult

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irretrievable

irreverence

irreverences

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“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverence. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of irreverence

noun

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