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
The museum touts its irreverence, for example placing a portrait of George Washington by untrained artist Howard Finster with one by Gilbert Stuart.
—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
Pratt’s main character energy proved attractive to (primarily out-of-state) donors as well as meme makers, who gravitated to his blend of righteousness and rage as well as irreverence.
—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
8 June 2026
How to analyze a poetics of irreverence and improvisation—of life experienced in a perpetual present—without stifling precisely these qualities?
—
Joe Dunthorne,
The New York Review of Books,
6 June 2026
Philly Mag ran a definitive long-read that leaned into the show's Philadelphia roots and comedic irreverence.
—
Olivia Shalhoup,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
Pratt’s main character energy proved attractive to (primarily out-of-state) donors as well as meme makers, who gravitated to his blend of righteousness and rage as well as irreverence.
—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
8 June 2026
How to analyze a poetics of irreverence and improvisation—of life experienced in a perpetual present—without stifling precisely these qualities?
—
Joe Dunthorne,
The New York Review of Books,
6 June 2026
Philly Mag ran a definitive long-read that leaned into the show's Philadelphia roots and comedic irreverence.
—
Olivia Shalhoup,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreverence
Noun
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This was a weak case for blasphemy.
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The president later removed the post in the face of outrage and accusations of blasphemy.
Noun
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That’s sacrilege on par with an Ohioan disowning football or a Texan recoiling at the smell of brisket, a Kentuckian thumbing his nose at college basketball.
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Sure, Texans are very hospitable, but playing anything other than country music over the speakers is normally considered sacrilege in that establishment.
Noun
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Lawyers in the gas station lawsuit assert that technology is enabling antitrust violations.
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Beijing has and been accused of serious human violations, including large-scale arbitrary detention of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, in Xinjiang.
Noun
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The Tesla’s desecration follows a vandalism spree in Queens that saw religious centers, homes and vehicles defiled with swastikas and antisemitic slogans last month.
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However, the Supreme Court in several cases has struck down any improper use or desecration of the flag on the grounds of free speech, according to the Library of Congress’ most frequently asked questions about flag law.
Noun
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In about seven minutes, with pushing, shoving, and cursing, the agents cleared a path for the van.
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People would literally be in the drive-thru cursing at me.
Noun
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The electoral authority based the candidate bans on a law against corrupt practices that in previous years saw some parliamentary seats bought with money linked to drug trafficking, corruption and tax evasion.
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Seems like far too many appreciate this type of corruption, and making money on SM for lies, is precisely that.
Noun
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According to Spell and members of his congregation, the man had a history of verbally harassing them with threats, insults and racial slurs.
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Michael Lind, the writer and New America co-founder, argues in Commonplace, the magazine of Oren Cass’s American Compass, that a decent wage and a safety net should be enough, and that handing workers a stake in capital insults the dignity of their labor.
Noun
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Scottish hen parties were deemed to contain ritualistic profanation.
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No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move; ’Twere profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love.
Cite this Entry
“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverence. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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