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

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 One of the great things about standup comedy is the freedom and the irreverence of it. Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 4 May 2025 Page brought streetwise irreverence and church-house parody into her routines, proving that Black women could own their sexuality, and spirituality all at once. Okla Jones, Essence, 30 Apr. 2025 With a premiere date set for July 9, the long-running Comedy Central series, masterminded by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, is coming back with all the irreverence fans have come to expect. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 2 Apr. 2025 Very carefully, unless your boss is Graydon Carter, whose gift for irreverence and self-deprecation is almost as legendary as his hair. Jim Kelly, Air Mail, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irreverence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irreverence
Noun
  • 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
  • Five Christian groups filed complaints to Indonesian police alleging blasphemy, leading to Thalisa’s arrest on October 8.
    Jack Guy, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This is culture-making in critical condition, because even the fact that these are static industries is a version of sacrilege.
    Harmony Holiday, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Those participating in races can receive up to a $250 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail on the first violation, up to a $500 fine and/or up to 60 days in jail for the second violation, and up to a $1,000 fine and/or and up to six months in jail for a third.
    Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2025
  • Those security guards, who were not in uniform—a violation of the state code—were accompanied by the county sheriff, a Republican named Bob Norris.
    Jessica Pishko, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Yet Jesus becomes angered by the desecration of the temple and begins tipping over the merchants' tables in the holy place while wielding a righteous whip.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • In the first of thirteen live, three-hour shows (with Nelle sitting in the studio audience), the thirty-five-year-old Reagan, accompanied by four Black actors, dramatically reenacted Klan cross-burnings, beatings and shootings, and the desecration of synagogues.
    Richard D. Mahoney, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 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 film's themes of corruption and the brave whistleblowers who expose it feel particularly apt in this current moment.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 5 June 2025
  • Hochul chose him after his predecessor, Benjamin Brian, resigned amid charges of corruption, which were eventually dropped.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • These immigrants in Florida find Trump’s offer ‘an insult’ Many are skeptical.
    South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2025
  • The master of appropriating insults just can’t do anything to make TACO his — Trump Always Cares Outstandingly just doesn’t have the same ring.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Irreverence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irreverence. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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