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sardonic

adjective
sar·​don·​ic | \ sär-ˈdä-nik How to pronounce sardonic (audio) \

Definition of sardonic

: disdainfully or skeptically humorous : derisively mocking a sardonic comment
Other Words from sardonic Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about sardonic

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Other Words from sardonic

sardonically \ sär-​ˈdä-​ni-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce sardonically (audio) \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for sardonic

sarcastic, satiric, ironic, sardonic mean marked by bitterness and a power or will to cut or sting. sarcastic implies an intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting, or ridiculing. a critic known for his sarcastic remarks satiric implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation. a satiric look at contemporary society ironic implies an attempt to be amusing or provocative by saying usually the opposite of what is meant. made the ironic observation that the government could always be trusted sardonic implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression. surveyed the scene with a sardonic smile

Examples of sardonic in a Sentence

"The Great War," used interchangeably with "the First World War" (so named in 1918 by a sardonic English journalist, who knew it would not be the last such conflict) … — Benjamin Schwarz, Atlantic, May 1999 They have that brand of sardonic humor special to people up against it: black and wry and shocking … — Doris Lessing, New Yorker, 16 Mar. 1987 In a story by Flaubert, this spreading of cloths to save the carpet would be observed with a sardonic eye; in Lawrence it is bleakly practical. — Hugh Kenner, A Sinking Island, 1987 The movie is a sardonic look at modern life. a sardonic little jab that made her visitor quiet and subdued for the rest of the night
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Visiting the pop-up's Central Perk was particularly special for James Michael Taylor, who played the coffee shop's sardonic manager Gunther. — Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, "'Friends': NYC pop-up lets you get coffee at Central Perk, recreate iconic opening credits," 6 Sep. 2019 In many ways these sardonic and very short fables are the next installment in the series of strange scenarios cooked up in Keret’s brain since his first collection appeared in Hebrew in 1992. — Gal Beckerman, New York Times, "If Kafka Were Israeli and Wrote About Talking Goldfish," 30 Aug. 2019 MacDowell is a hilariously mercurial matriarch, and Adam Brody adds to his terrific work in Shazam! by giving the role of Alex’s screwup brother a sardonic edge. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "Ready or Not Puts a Comic Twist on a Deadly Game of Hide-and-Seek," 22 Aug. 2019 But the script, by Guy Busick and Ryan Murphy, errs too far on the side of sardonic to be taken seriously as true social satire. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, "Review: ‘Ready or Not’ sacrifices horror for irony and laughs to skewer the 1 percent," 19 Aug. 2019 However, the script errs a bit too far on the side of sardonic to be taken seriously as true social satire. — Katie Walsh, Detroit Free Press, "‘Ready or Not’ is too snarky to be scary," 19 Aug. 2019 But the script, by Guy Busick and Ryan Murphy, errs too far on the side of sardonic to be taken seriously as true social satire. — Katie Walsh, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: ‘Ready or Not’ sacrifices horror for irony and laughs to skewer the 1 percent," 22 Aug. 2019 But the script, by Guy Busick and Ryan Murphy, errs a bit too far on the side of sardonic to be taken seriously as true social satire. — Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, "1-percenter slasher flick ‘Ready or Not’ too sardonic to be taken seriously as satire," 20 Aug. 2019 If the sardonic tone of Sudeikis’s Red is merely generic, Jones’ larger-than-life vocal performance makes Zeta outrageous beyond her florid plumage. — Pat Padua, Twin Cities, "‘The Angry Birds Movie 2’ is better than you think. Wait, we’re serious.," 13 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sardonic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of sardonic

1638, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for sardonic

re-formation, with the suffix -ic entry 1, of earlier sardonian, from Greek sardónios, alteration (after Sardónios "Sardinian") of earlier sardánios "(of laughter or smiling) bitter, scornful" (of obscure origin) + -an entry 2

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More Definitions for sardonic

sardonic

adjective
How to pronounce sardonic (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of sardonic

formal : showing that you disapprove of or do not like someone or something : showing disrespect or scorn for someone or something

See the full definition for sardonic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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