irreverent

[ih-rev-er-uhnt] / ɪˈrɛv ər ənt /

ADJECTIVE

disrespectful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cheeky derisive flippant mocking profane rude tongue-in-cheek

WEAK

aweless cocky contemptuous crusty flip fresh iconoclastic impertinent impious impudent insolent irreverential out of line sacrilegious sassy saucy ungodly unhallowed unholy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

respectful

WEAK

religious reverent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He joined BBC Radio 1 in 1998 as the host of the early breakfast show and went on to become a household name presenting his irreverent afternoon show.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

The irreverent news website had seemingly cracked the code for social-media virality, and would soon become one of the first digital-media startups to achieve unicorn status with a valuation of over $1 billion.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

Setting out to make a film about the Civil War general burning his way through the South, he ended up with an irreverent, semi-solipsistic travelogue organized around the women he encountered along the way.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Why this story stuck with me: This story captured a sliver of the irreverent joy that Bill Walton brought to everyone he touched, including me.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025

In a discipline in which athletes bored newsmen to death with cliches and blandly politic statements, Pollard was a singularly fresh interview, articulate, irreverent, and self-deprecating.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Vocabulary lists containing irreverent

The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 3

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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 3

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!