irreverence
Lack of deference
Irreverence is a lack of respect or seriousness toward things typically treated as sacred, dignified, or important.
The word often carries positive connotations—irreverent humor punctures pomposity and questions authority: The show's irreverence toward politicians made it popular.
But irreverence can also suggest inappropriate flippancy: His irreverence at the funeral offended the family.
Irreverence toward the sacred
- profanityVulgar or obscene speech
- desecrationViolating something sacred
- impietyIrreverence toward the divine
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
iconoclasm · apostasy · godlessness · sacrilege · irreligion · transgression · taboo-breaking · unorthodoxy
Mockery exposing vice
- parodySatirical imitation
- witClever, inventive humor
- sarcasmIrony used to mock
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
spoof · lampoon · caricature · mockery · burlesque · farce · banter · quip
Disdainful disregard
- disdainScornful disregard
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- ridiculeContemptuous mocking treatment
insolence · impertinence · disparagement · scoffing · impudence · flippancy · belittlement · deprecation
Defiance of established power
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- nonconformityRejection of prevailing norms
- dissentDisagreement with authority
resistance · subversion · contrariness · recalcitrance · anarchy · iconoclasm · provocation · audacity
Lighthearted disrespect
- mischievousnessPlayful inclination to misbehave
- impishnessPlayful mischievous quality
- sassinessImpertinent boldness of manner
- saucinessCheeky boldness
impertinence · flippancy · whimsy · roguishness · pertness · facetiousness · teasing · insouciance
blasphemy
Irreverence toward the sacred
- profanityVulgar or obscene speech
- desecrationViolating something sacred
- impietyIrreverence toward the divine
heresy · iconoclasm · apostasy · godlessness · sacrilege · irreligion · transgression · taboo-breaking · unorthodoxy · profanation
satire
Mockery exposing vice
irony · spoof · lampoon · caricature · mockery · burlesque · farce · banter · quip · raillery
contempt
Disdainful disregard
ridicule · insolence · impertinence · disparagement · scoffing · impudence · flippancy · belittlement · deprecation · sneering
rebellion
Defiance of established power
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- nonconformityRejection of prevailing norms
dissent · resistance · subversion · contrariness · recalcitrance · anarchy · iconoclasm · provocation · audacity · brazenness
cheekiness
Lighthearted disrespect
- mischievousnessPlayful inclination to misbehave
- impishnessPlayful mischievous quality
- sassinessImpertinent boldness of manner
sauciness · impertinence · flippancy · whimsy · roguishness · pertness · facetiousness · teasing · insouciance · naughtiness
- mischiefmischief, hijinks, antics, pranks, antic
- Australian ComedyDame Edna, Rebel Wilson, Eric Bana, Paul Hogan, Crocodile Dundee
- impietyungodliness, unholiness, sacrilege, blasphemy, profanity
- church offensesheresy, apostasy, schism, blasphemy, sacrilege
- humorjoke, jokes, joking, comedy, comic
- audacityboldness, brazenness, audacity, chutzpah, gall
irreverencereverence
Profound admiring respect
respect · veneration · deference · devotion · adoration
irreverencepiety
Sincere religious devotion
worship · reverence · veneration · sanctification · consecration
irreverencesolemnity
Serious, dignified quality
seriousness · gravity · earnestness · formality · decorum
- irreverent humorComedy disrespecting the solemn