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
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Recent Examples of irreverence
Bringing in dramatic chromatics to reflect the couple’s charisma was a primary focus, as was toggling between Americana and gothic English design for a splash of irreverence suiting a rock star and supermodel.
—
Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 11 Dec. 2024
Image For decades, Southwest thrived by adhering to a simple model of low fares and good service, with a healthy dose of irreverence.
—Niraj Chokshi, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
There are great jokes (including an absolutely perfect Ralph line), thoughtful animation, a surprising amount of heart, and a heavy dose of irreverence.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
Not dissimilar to how Kathy Hilton entered the series, Tilly has brought some highly entertaining scene-stealing irreverence to the mix.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for irreverence 
Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 11 Dec. 2024
Image For decades, Southwest thrived by adhering to a simple model of low fares and good service, with a healthy dose of irreverence.
—Niraj Chokshi, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
There are great jokes (including an absolutely perfect Ralph line), thoughtful animation, a surprising amount of heart, and a heavy dose of irreverence.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
Not dissimilar to how Kathy Hilton entered the series, Tilly has brought some highly entertaining scene-stealing irreverence to the mix.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for irreverence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreverence
Noun
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But there is evidence that French society is shifting on the acceptance of blasphemy, particularly among France’s 5-million-strong Muslim population and the younger generation.—
Colette Davidson,
The Christian Science Monitor,
8 Jan. 2025
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The other side: To turkey's defenders, this is blasphemy — and the haters revealing their own poor culinary skills.—
Jeff Weiner,
Axios,
25 Nov. 2024
Noun
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For many liberals and radicals, beginning with Lord Byron, Elgin was a vandal who had committed sacrilege.—
Ralph Leonard,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2025
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But sometimes movies need a little sacrilege to achieve their full potential.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
13 Sep. 2024
Noun
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On each occasion the violations again ranged from basic to high priority.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
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His son, Shaw, joined other fire victims in filing a lawsuit last month against Southern California Edison, accusing the utility of negligence, violation of health and safety codes and not maintaining its vegetation and equipment.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Both girls were also charged with arson, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and desecration of human remains.—
Rachel Hale,
USA TODAY,
21 Jan. 2025
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Robbed of the event’s usual flair, the competitors instead put on a display of oafish masculinity, eating Combos on the ice and getting overly handsy with a female partner, among other desecrations of the sport.—
Dan Reilly,
Vulture,
30 July 2024
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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The mayor has been under sharp scrutiny since President Trump’s Department Justice Department last week ordered prosecutors in his federal corruption case to drop the criminal charges against him.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
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Four deputy mayors from New York City Mayor Eric Adams' administration resigned Monday after the Justice Department moved to dismiss Adams' corruption case.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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During the interview, McEnany spoke openly about being compared, as an insult, to the character of Pat, because of her gender expression.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them,
13 Feb. 2025
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Finally, Smith reiterated that no insult was directed at Williams.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Thesaurus Entries Near irreverence
Cite this Entry
“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverence. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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