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irreverence Definition

ir·rev·er·ence (i rev′ər əns)

noun

  1. lack of reverence; disrespect
  2. an act or statement showing this
  3. the condition of not being treated with reverence

Etymology: ME < L irreverentia

irreverence Related Forms

ir·rev′·er·ent adjective ir·rev′·er·ently adverb

irreverence Synonyms

irreverence

n.

  1. Blasphemy

    sacrilege, sinfulness, profanity, impiety; see blasphemy, heresy.

  2. Indignity

    disrespect, ridicule, discourtesy; see insult, rudeness.

irreverence Usage Examples

Converse of object

show: For it is no light thing to show irreverence to the divine laws - a fact which later events will make clear.

Adjective modifier

  • such: There should be a law against treating pylons with such irreverence.
  • refreshing: To my mind, the Middle Temple Twelfth Night lacked the refreshing irreverence of some recent productions at the Globe's main house.
  • customary: Top Gear With Jeremy Clarkson the driving seat, Top Gear is complete with his customary irreverence, wit and unbiased honesty.
  • clever: I'd like to say " clever irreverence " , but that's not always true!
  • healthy: There was also a tone of healthy irreverence in much of the reporting.
  • total: They treated the most famous pop group of all time with a total irreverence that they would become famous for in later years.