irreverent

[ih-rev-er-uhnt]

adjective

1. not reverent; manifesting or characterized by irreverence; deficient in veneration or respect.

   an irreverent reply.

   Synonyms: profane, impious, irreligious

Other Word Forms

• irreverently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of irreverent¹

1485–95; < Latin irreverent- (stem of irreverēns ) disrespectful. See ir- ², reverent

Example Sentences

And his version of the Russian literary masterpiece - which starts with the phrase "bloody hell" - is about being flippant and irreverent.

Read more on BBC

Clifton Ko, a film director who shot to fame in the 1980s with irreverent comedies, was tapped by security officials to play to a more serious tune this time.

Read more on Barron's

“He loved giving people a little joy in their day,” Sanchini said, remembering Landau’s irreverent family Christmas cards.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The lyrics were just very conversational. It was witty; it was self-aware; it was irreverent.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But while the bloody rites of the original Euripides are at the heart of the tale, this version is so relentlessly digressive and irreverent that it plays more like parody than tragedy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cheeky 
• derisive 
• flippant 
• mocking 
• profane 
• rude 
• tongue-in-cheek