irreverence
noun
ir·rev·er·ence
i-ˈre-v(ə-)rən(t)s 
ˌi(r)-,
-ˈre-vərn(t)s
1
: lack of reverence
2
: an irreverent act or utterance
Synonyms
Examples of irreverence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s always been a playful irreverence to his films, an unabashed adoration for B-movie exuberance, his outlandish stories’ faint emotional underpinnings married to giddy spectacle.
—
Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Rather, members of the community participated in the collective consumption as an act of irreverence—a dispositional characteristic of the community's culture—and rebellion against traditional financial institutions like Wall Street.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
So, the same irreverence that The Boys has is in Gen V.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2023
By contrast, Johnson and Sweeney bring an endearing irreverence to their characters that could be read as camp, if needed.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2024
The Piaget Polo personifies the flamboyance and irreverence of the time, and is quickly adopted by the beau monde and global jet set.
—Ming Liu, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2024
The two take part in a 30-second Super Bowl ad that mixes Lawrence’s trademark irreverence with the Game Day humor that viewers no doubt expect.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 31 Jan. 2024
Forty-six of its 109 pages are devoted to him and his work, as befits a voracious writer who could expound on garage-rock, heavy-metal, punk, jazz and more with equal skill and wit, insight and irreverence.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Dec. 2023
The blocky, doodle-like figures that decorate the walls of the current restaurant’s bathroom and kitchen date from this earlier incarnation, and lend the restaurant a note of irreverence.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 10 Dec. 2023
Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Rather, members of the community participated in the collective consumption as an act of irreverence—a dispositional characteristic of the community's culture—and rebellion against traditional financial institutions like Wall Street.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
So, the same irreverence that The Boys has is in Gen V.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2023
By contrast, Johnson and Sweeney bring an endearing irreverence to their characters that could be read as camp, if needed.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2024
The Piaget Polo personifies the flamboyance and irreverence of the time, and is quickly adopted by the beau monde and global jet set.
—Ming Liu, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2024
The two take part in a 30-second Super Bowl ad that mixes Lawrence’s trademark irreverence with the Game Day humor that viewers no doubt expect.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 31 Jan. 2024
Forty-six of its 109 pages are devoted to him and his work, as befits a voracious writer who could expound on garage-rock, heavy-metal, punk, jazz and more with equal skill and wit, insight and irreverence.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Dec. 2023
The blocky, doodle-like figures that decorate the walls of the current restaurant’s bathroom and kitchen date from this earlier incarnation, and lend the restaurant a note of irreverence.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 10 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'irreverence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of irreverence was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near irreverence
Cite this Entry
“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irreverence. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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