irreverence

noun

ir·​rev·​er·​ence i-ˈre-v(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce irreverence (audio)
ˌi(r)-, 
-ˈre-vərn(t)s
Synonyms of irreverence
1
: lack of reverence
2
: an irreverent act or utterance

Synonyms of irreverence

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Examples of irreverence in a Sentence

the sect has no tolerance for any irreverence directed toward their spiritual leader
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Uniting these jokes is a streak of playful irreverence, a facility for tempering challenging ideas with American cultural references, and a reluctance to provide more explanation than necessary. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 Cassatt matches this irreverence in her paint handling, describing the upholstery in flickering, restless strokes. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026 Listening, empathy, caring, laughing, humor, irreverence, understanding and all the little things that make a human interaction better. — Nir Bashan, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 By the early 1990s, Eugene had earned itself a reputation as a beacon of progressive-minded irreverence, drawing a pungent mix of weirdos, iconoclasts, and freethinkers. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for irreverence

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

Rhymes for irreverence

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Browse Nearby Words

irrevelant
irreverence
irreverency
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Cite this Entry

“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irreverence. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of irreverence for Spanish Speakers

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