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Irreverence: meaning, definitions and examples

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irreverence

 

[ ɪˈrɛv(ə)rəns ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

lack of respect

Irreverence is the absence of proper respect or veneration, especially for something that is generally taken seriously or considered sacred. It is characterized by a disregard for traditions, customs, or authority.

Synonyms

disrespect, impertinence, insolence.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
irreverence

This word is used when showing a lack of respect for things that are usually taken seriously, often related to religion, traditions, or formal institutions.

  • His irreverence towards the ancient rituals shocked the elders
  • The comedian's irreverence for traditional values was both refreshing and controversial
disrespect

This word is used in everyday situations where there is a lack of respect for someone or something, generally implying rudeness or disregard.

  • She showed disrespect by talking back to her teacher
  • The employee's disrespect for company policies led to his termination
impertinence

This word is used to describe behavior that is boldly rude or showing a lack of proper respect, often in a way that surprises others.

  • His impertinence in questioning the manager's decision was unexpected
  • The child's impertinence during the ceremony embarrassed his parents
insolence

This word is used for behavior that is openly disrespectful, marked by a rude or arrogant lack of respect. It often implies a more severe level of disrespect.

  • The officer did not tolerate insolence from the cadets
  • Her insolence towards her colleagues made her unpopular at work

Examples of usage

  • His irreverence towards the religious ceremony offended many of the attendees.
  • She was known for her irreverence towards authority figures.
  • The comedian's irreverence towards political correctness made him popular among younger audiences.
Context #2 | Noun

humorous lack of seriousness

Irreverence can also refer to a lighthearted or humorous lack of seriousness, especially when dealing with serious or solemn matters. It involves treating something with irreverent humor or mockery.

Synonyms

flippancy, levity, mockery.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
irreverence

This word is best used when discussing a lack of respect for things or people that are generally taken seriously, such as traditions or religious practices.

  • His irreverence towards the old customs shocked the community.
  • The comedian's irreverence towards political leaders drew both criticism and praise.
levity

Levity should be used to describe lightness or humor, particularly in situations that are generally serious. It can have a mildly negative connotation if considered inappropriate.

  • His levity at the funeral was seen as disrespectful by some attendees.
  • She tried to bring some levity to the tense negotiations with a well-timed joke.
flippancy

Flippancy is suitable when describing a casual or shallow attitude, often inappropriate in serious situations. It usually has a negative connotation.

  • Her flippancy during the meeting about budget cuts was not appreciated.
  • The student's flippancy in response to the principal's admonition only made things worse.
mockery

Mockery is best used to describe actions or speech that make fun of someone or something, often in a cruel or scornful way. This word carries a negative connotation.

  • Their mockery of his accent was hurtful and uncalled for.
  • The cartoon was seen as mockery of the political establishment.

Examples of usage

  • The irreverence of the satirical cartoon offended some viewers but amused others.
  • The irreverence of the parody song made light of a serious issue in a clever way.

Translations

Translations of the word "irreverence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irreverência

🇮🇳 असम्मान

🇩🇪 Respektlosigkeit

🇮🇩 ketidaksopanan

🇺🇦 неповага

🇵🇱 lekceważenie

🇯🇵 不敬 (ふけい)

🇫🇷 irrévérence

🇪🇸 irreverencia

🇹🇷 saygısızlık

🇰🇷 불경 (bulgyeong)

🇸🇦 عدم الاحترام

🇨🇿 neúcta

🇸🇰 neúcta

🇨🇳 不敬 (bùjìng)

🇸🇮 nespoštovanje

🇮🇸 óvirðing

🇰🇿 құрметсіздік

🇬🇪 უპატივცემულობა

🇦🇿 hörmətsizlik

🇲🇽 irreverencia

Etymology

The word 'irreverence' originated from the Latin word 'irreverentia', which is a combination of 'ir-' (not) and 'reverentia' (reverence). It first appeared in English in the late 14th century. The concept of irreverence has been a part of human behavior and expression for centuries, as people have often challenged authority and tradition through irreverent acts and words.

See also: reverential.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,096, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.