sarcastic

adjective

sar·​cas·​tic sär-ˈka-stik 

1

: having the character of sarcasm

sarcastic criticism

2

: given to the use of sarcasm : caustic

a sarcastic critic

sarcastically

sär-ˈka-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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Snarky vs. Sarcastic

Some have questioned whether snarky is a real word. There can be no doubt that it is; the adjective has been recorded in English since 1906. Its original meaning, “crotchety, snappish,” has largely been overtaken, however, by the far more frequently-encountered sense “sarcastic, impertinent or irreverent.” The precise difference between utterances described as sarcastic and snarky will vary somewhat based on the individual using each word. Some feel that sarcastic usually implies irony, or stating the opposite of what is really intended (for example, “thank you so much for your promptness” spoken to someone who arrives late), whereas snarky implies simple impertinence or irreverence (as when Downton Abbey's Dowager Countess asks Isobel Crawley, “does it ever get cold on the moral high ground?”)

Synonyms

• acerb
• acerbic
• acid
• acidic
• acidulous
• acrid
• barbed
• biting
• caustic
• corrosive
• cutting
• mordant
• pungent
• sardonic
• satiric
• satirical
• scalding
• scathing
• sharp
• smart-aleck
• smart-alecky
• smart-mouthed
• snarky
• tart

Choose the Right Synonym for sarcastic

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 sarcastic in a Sentence

DeWitt is everything Shea is not. And Shea quickly felt DeWitt's contempt. "Lincoln is loud," Jim says. "He makes sarcastic comments because he has to call attention to himself all the time. Some people are insecure because they haven't established themselves yet." —Anne Marie Cruz, ESPN, 18 Feb. 2002

Close on the heels of "Millionaire" came "The Weakest Link," which added a new wrinkle (subsequently picked up by "American Idol"): Its British host, Anne Robinson, was presented not as a genteel, erudite tutor but rather as a rude, sarcastic jerk. —Andrew Sullivan, New Republic, 4 Nov. 2002

Frank evokes the eccentric Hamilton family and their feisty Gullah housekeeper with originality and conviction; Susan herself—smart, sarcastic, funny and endearingly flawed—makes a lively and memorable narrator. —Publishers Weekly, 24 Jan. 2000

her sarcastic comments that my singing reminded her of the time her dog was sick

Recent Examples on the Web

Pratt’s sunny tone voicing the main role fails to capture Garfield’s sarcastic nonchalance. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 May 2024

Rather than sentiment analysis, which uses natural language processing to gauge the tone of text—such as whether it’s intended to be sarcastic or serious—Inca uses AI to identify topic models, or what people are talking about based on the context of posts. —Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 15 May 2024

The model could, in theory, be used to help customer service agents understand when a customer is being sarcastic. —Emily Price, PCMAG, 11 May 2024

Who exactly is this gruff, sarcastic, but seemingly harmless boy who has returned to their hometown of Five Fingers, Michigan, after three mysterious years away? —Rasputin Todd, The Enquirer, 10 May 2024

Could that line be any more perfect for sarcastic Chandler? —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 6 May 2024

Joel McHale The Community actor played Mr. Jacks in Raimi's Spider-Man 2, the bank manager infamously known for his sarcastic remark when Peter Parker abandons Aunt May during Doc Ock's attack. —Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024

Gordon, who’s as athletic as any individual in the NBA, is in awe of Jokic’s conditioning, enough to relent on his sarcastic stance. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 3 May 2024

While sincere humor in this face of adversity might stir sympathy, sarcastic humor—being irreverent and carefree—can truly release tension to evoke laughter. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 9 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

sarc(asm) + -astic, by analogy with other Greek-derived words where the suffixes -asm and -astic imply one another (as enthusiasm, enthusiastic)

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sarcastic

adjective

sar·​cas·​tic sär-ˈkas-tik 

1

: containing sarcasm

a sarcastic remark

2

: being in the habit of using sarcasm

a sarcastic person

sarcastically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb