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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Recent Examples of irreverence
Avoid letting humor or irreverence overshadow your goals.
—
Jane Hanson, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Jane Hanson, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreverence
Noun
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Yet on October 11, the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) issued an opinion, non-binding but influential, that Ahok’s statement was indeed blasphemy.—
Sidney Jones,
Foreign Affairs,
26 May 2017
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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
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Since this was a probation violation, Einstein was sent back to jail.—
Keith Sharon,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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The attorneys general sued Musk last week, arguing that his role in the government is a violation of the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, which gives presidents the power to appoint officials who must then be confirmed by the Senate.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
The Mercury News,
19 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 senior deputies to New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced their resignations Monday after the Justice Department moved to dismiss his corruption case.—
Zach Halaschak,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Finally, Smith reiterated that no insult was directed at Williams.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
13 Feb. 2025
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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
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
Cite this Entry
“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverence. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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