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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
At 34 years old, Stockman's youthful assurance and irreverence for sacred cows of all kinds soon upset many of his former colleagues on the Hill.
—
Ron Elving, NPR, 17 May 2025
The commercials for Lilo & Stitch really did establish a new tone for marketing Disney movies, bringing to the studio a bit of the irreverence that Pixar and Dreamworks had profitably mined in the preceding years.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 May 2025
In a mix of fascination, irreverence, fandom and possible blasphemy, video compilations of cardinals with Charli XCX soundtracks have popped up online.
—Emma Bubola, New York Times, 7 May 2025
British watchmaking is stepping out of Switzerland’s shadow, carving a new identity rooted in creativity, collaboration, and a touch of irreverence.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Ron Elving, NPR, 17 May 2025
The commercials for Lilo & Stitch really did establish a new tone for marketing Disney movies, bringing to the studio a bit of the irreverence that Pixar and Dreamworks had profitably mined in the preceding years.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 May 2025
In a mix of fascination, irreverence, fandom and possible blasphemy, video compilations of cardinals with Charli XCX soundtracks have popped up online.
—Emma Bubola, New York Times, 7 May 2025
British watchmaking is stepping out of Switzerland’s shadow, carving a new identity rooted in creativity, collaboration, and a touch of irreverence.
—Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreverence
Noun
-
Read more Religious freedom School Vouchers Are a Big, Fat Tax Break for the Wealthy | Opinion Walker is now tasked with confronting China's church crackdowns, Pakistan's blasphemy laws, and Nigeria's ruthless slaughter of believers.—
Kevin Sabet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
-
Many religious people who are not fluent in Italian who laughed at the meme or even repeated the words felt that they were tricked into blasphemy.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
And still, Wankdorf Stadium heaved with Portuguese song, as if any other noise outside of a goal celebration might border on sacrilege.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
4 July 2025
-
But replacing barley malt with rice still might strike some beer aficionados as sacrilege.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
The list obtained by the Herald/Times states that his uncle, Denis Alcides Solis Morales, has immigration violations and makes no mention of convictions or pending criminal charges.—
Ana Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
13 July 2025
-
Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Department of Emergency Management, helped facilitate the tour and told lawmakers that those with yellow wristbands, the lowest level, had committed noncriminal offenses such as traffic violations.—
Kairi Lowery,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
The Titanic isn't just a shipwreck — it’s widely regarded as a maritime grave, and some view any disturbance as a form of desecration.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
6 July 2025
-
Nearly two weeks later, Blevins was charged Jan. 3 with second-degree desecration of human remains and third-degree hindering apprehension after a law enforcement investigation, according to officials.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacramento Bee,
5 Feb. 2025
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
-
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
-
The announcement comes nearly two years after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was acquitted on all 16 articles of impeachment related to allegations of corruption and abuse of office.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 July 2025
-
Ken Paxton, who has served in his current role since 2015, was impeached in 2023 but later acquitted and faced allegations of corruption and taking part in an extramarital affair.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Adding insult, he was called for eight fouls in Tuesday night’s victory over the Golden State Warriors, with players allowed 10 in summer league, four above the regular-season maximum.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 July 2025
-
Amid the mix of compliments and insults from obvious trolls, many thought ATB bore a striking resemblance to another member of the family.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Scottish hen parties were deemed to contain ritualistic profanation.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverence. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share