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 Words From

• ir·rever·ent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of irreverent¹

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

Example Sentences

My current favorite is “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” the animated and more irreverent of the “Star Trek” shows that follows the lower-ranking support crew that handle the menial jobs on a less prestigious Federation starship.

From Los Angeles Times

The third installment, “Venom: The Last Dance,” rounds out the trio of films, which are both straight-faced and irreverent, creating a campy tone all their own, distinct from the more self-serious superheroes or the sarcastically self-referential ones.

From Los Angeles Times

You can take two things like joy as a form of release — just being silly, hilarious, naughty, irreverent — and emotions like pain, humiliation, then trauma and tragedy — and you can also have a release.

From Los Angeles Times

In a social media post, Mr Streeting sought to laugh off some of the more irreverent suggestions.

From BBC

"She’d come across as quite pleasant; she was funny, she was irreverent as well. She had a dark sense of humour."

From BBC

Related Words

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