irreverent
Lacking proper respect
Irreverent means lacking the expected respect or seriousness toward something usually treated as sacred or important.
An irreverent comedian mocks religion; an irreverent biography treats its subject without reverence.
The word often carries approval—irreverent humor is bold and refreshing rather than merely disrespectful: Her irreverent take on royal tradition delighted younger audiences.
Violation of the hallowed
- profanityVulgar or obscene speech
- sacrilegiousGrossly irreverent toward sanctity
- impietyIrreverence toward the divine
- impiousLacking religious respect
desecration · heresy · blasphemy · godless · unholy · iconoclasm · apostasy · infidel
Disrespectfully bold
- insolentBoldly rude and disrespectful
- impertinentRudely presumptuous
- cheekyPlayfully disrespectful
- flippantCarelessly disrespectful
dismissive · contemptuous · mocking · scoffing · derisive · sneering · disdainful · scornful
Mocking through exaggeration
- parodySatirical imitation
- sarcasmIrony used to mock
- witClever, inventive humor
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
lampoon · spoof · irony · caricature · banter · quips · jest · wisecrack
Relaxed, not official
- nonchalantCalmly unconcerned
- breezyMildly windy, or nonchalant
- laid-backCalm and unhurried
- unpretentiousLacking false superiority
offhand · lighthearted · playful · unserious · cavalier · glib · carefree · insouciant
Rejects prevailing social standards
- rebelAuthority defier
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
- subversiveSeeking to undermine authority
- contrarianChronic majority-opposer
challenger · dissenter · freethinker · radical · provocateur · boundary-pushing · anti-establishment · rule-breaking
sacrilege
Violation of the hallowed
- profanityVulgar or obscene speech
- sacrilegiousGrossly irreverent toward sanctity
- impietyIrreverence toward the divine
impious · desecration · heresy · blasphemy · godless · unholy · iconoclasm · apostasy · infidel · heathen
impudent
Disrespectfully bold
- insolentBoldly rude and disrespectful
- impertinentRudely presumptuous
- cheekyPlayfully disrespectful
flippant · dismissive · contemptuous · mocking · scoffing · derisive · sneering · disdainful · scornful · sassy
satirical
Mocking through exaggeration
mockery · lampoon · spoof · irony · caricature · banter · quips · jest · wisecrack · farce
informal
Relaxed, not official
- nonchalantCalmly unconcerned
- breezyMildly windy, or nonchalant
- laid-backCalm and unhurried
unpretentious · offhand · lighthearted · playful · unserious · cavalier · glib · carefree · insouciant · flip
nonconformist
Rejects prevailing social standards
- rebelAuthority defier
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
- subversiveSeeking to undermine authority
contrarian · challenger · dissenter · freethinker · radical · provocateur · boundary-pushing · anti-establishment · rule-breaking
- rudenessrude, discourtesy, impolite, rudeness, disrespect
- comedy typesclown, satire, parody, farce, slapstick
- wisecrackerssmart aleck, smartass, smartmouth, smartypants, wisecracker
- comedycomedy, jokes, humor, puns, sarcasm
- funnyfunny, comical, hilarious, humorous, amusing
- shamelessshameless, brazen, unabashed, barefaced, unapologetic
irreverentreverent
Feeling profound respect
respectful · deferential · reverential · obsequious · submissive
- irreverent humorComedy disrespecting the solemn