irreverence

noun

i-ˈre-v(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce irreverence (audio)
Definition of irreverencenext
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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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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 There’s a naturally compelling story to be told: An untested but confident producer (Gabriel LaBelle stars as the young Lorne Michaels) feeling the pressure of a first show built on irreverence, at odds with a stodgy network accustomed to Johnny Carson’s after-hours royalty. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024 His sobering diagnosis, complete irreverence, and insatiable curiosity, send him on an unexpected journey learning how to die happily and ridiculously without losing his sense of humor. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025 His sobering diagnosis, complete irreverence and insatiable curiosity, send him on an unexpected journey learning how to die happily and ridiculously without losing his sense of humor. — Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024 His sobering diagnosis, complete irreverence, and insatiable curiosity send him on an unexpected journey learning how to die happily and ridiculously without losing his sense of humor. — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreverence
  1. blasphemy
  2. sacrilege
  3. violation
  4. desecration
  5. impiety
  6. corruption
  7. insult
  8. profanation
Noun
  • Arguments and accusations of blasphemy regarding teaching yoga sutras rather than Bible scripture are rife within the Black yoga community.
    — Tamika Caston-Miller, Outside Online, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Throughout its engagement with the OIC, the special envoy has prioritized the protection of human rights, routinely championing the equal rights of religious minorities and opposing laws that criminalize blasphemy and apostasy.
    — Arsalan Suleman, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2017
Definition of blasphemy
Noun
  • Such a transformation would represent an irrevocable loss: a profound sacrilege not only to the city’s rich history but also to the cultural legacy for the future generations.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 Feb. 2025
  • For many liberals and radicals, beginning with Lord Byron, Elgin was a vandal who had committed sacrilege.
    — Ralph Leonard, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025
Definition of sacrilege
Noun
  • Our goal every game is to force our opponents have a shot clock violation (90 seconds).
    — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants that Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) inspected for Feb. 23th - March 8th, 2025.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of violation
Noun
  • Simply put, their acts are a desecration of the pursuit of knowledge.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • To Michael Hirsch, the desecration of hundreds of graves was a shanda, a shame, a ghoulish crime.
    — Maria Cramer, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
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
  • Clouzot supplied that insight in strong visual terms: Fresnay’s conflicting impiety and righteous anger and so much dissatisfaction and panic among the townsfolk.
    — Armond White, National Review, 20 Nov. 2024
Definition of impiety
Noun
  • But Bondi is also overseeing cuts within her building, including to the Public Integrity Section that takes on corruption cases against public officials, according to multiple media reports and confirmed by a former Justice Department official.
    — David Catanese, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Compassionate Release of Nick Bovis Nick Bovis, a former San Francisco restaurateur, pleaded guilty to Honest Services and Insurance Wire Fraud in a political corruption case.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • The previous time Lilian had seen Imelda, who was sitting next to her in London, was ten years earlier, when her children were alive, but with some people mindless small talk would be an insult.
    — Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
  • That’s because Trump’s approach isn’t just an insult to Zelensky but to Ukraine itself and its institution of national leadership.
    — Illia Ponomarenko, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of insult
Noun
  • No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move; ’Twere profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love.
    — John Edgar Wideman, The New Yorker, 8 July 2021
  • The first assault is on the Nile itself, which is turned to blood, thereby ruining both agriculture and aquaculture in one swoop, a profanation with religious consequences.
    — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 28 Nov. 2019
Definition of profanation

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Cite this Entry

“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverence. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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