irreverent
not showing expected respect
Roots
- im- / in- (not): not or without
- rever / awe: awe, deep respect, or standing in reverence
Other words with the rever / awe root
Irreverent takes reverence away: the tone refuses to bow where others expect solemn respect.
Her irreverent joke made the formal meeting breathe again.
Irreverent is not automatically rude. It means the expected reverence is missing; the result can feel fresh, playful, or disrespectful depending on the room.