irreverent

adjective

ir·​rev·​er·​ent i-ˈre-v(ə-)rənt 

ˌi(r)-,

-ˈre-vərnt

: lacking proper respect or seriousness

also : satiric

irreverently adverb

Synonyms

• blasphemous
• impious
• profane
• sacrilegious

Examples of irreverent in a Sentence

He has a delightfully irreverent sense of humor.

irreverent behavior during church services

Recent Examples on the Web

For The Win's daily sports newsletter pairs the latest news from around the sports world with the smartest − yet somewhat irreverent – takes from FTW's staff. —Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

The three books so far are deeply romantic, gorgeously tragic, smart as hell, and written in this absurd baroque, irreverent language. —Constance Grady, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024

Yet he’s always had an audaciously irreverent flair for mixing up the experimental and the trashy, the futuristic and the old school. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024

The video announcement is short and is precedent in an irreverent Deadpool-sort of way, where the camera is fixed on a men’s bathroom urinal with a couple of Deadpool and Wolverine urinal cakes. —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin irreverent-, irreverens, from in- + reverent-, reverens reverent

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

irreverent

adjective

ir·​rev·​er·​ent (ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)ev-(ə-)rənt 

-ərnt

: showing lack of reverence

irreverent joking and giggling in church

irreverence

-ˈ(r)ev-(ə-)rən(t)s

-ˈ(r)ev-ərn(t)s

noun

irreverently adverb