satiric

adjective

sa·​tir·​ic sə-ˈtir-ik How to pronounce satiric (audio)
variants or satirical
1
: of, relating to, or constituting satire
satiric writers
2
: manifesting or given to satire
satirically adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for satiric

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 satiric in a Sentence

a satiric story about the movie business
Recent Examples on the Web Bale, speaking in a bland, hollow voice that has the slightest hint of frat-boy joshing, delivers a piece of polished, satiric archness that goes well beyond the obvious allegorical gag (capitalism = murder) into ... what, exactly? Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 The satiric thriller stars Keoghan as an Oxford scholarship student who befriends popular aristocrat Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), eventually accepting an invitation to stay at his family’s estate, Saltburn, for a summer. Shania Russell, EW.com, 26 Feb. 2024 And at a time when so many people now get their news — real and satiric alike — via social media, a polished nightly version of this risks feeling like a relic of a bygone era. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024 The seasoned actress harnessed her comedic and satiric chops for the campaign to execute the PSA. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 17 Nov. 2023 Previous hosts like Jerrod Carmichael and Ricky Gervais have gleefully turned their satiric blades on the Globes itself. Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Jan. 2024 Instead of that film’s wicked irony and satiric edge, though, this one offers sincerity and honest sentiment. Kyle Smith, WSJ, 13 Dec. 2023 Adapted from a satiric 1922 novel by Sinclair Lewis, playwright Joe DiPietro’s new play is the story of George F. Babbitt, a middle-aged real estate broker in the Midwestern city of Zenith. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2023 Powell was the author of penetrating portraits of small-town life and satiric stabs at New York society of the 1930s and ‘40s. cleveland, 23 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'satiric.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of satiric was in 1509

Dictionary Entries Near satiric

Cite this Entry

“Satiric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/satiric. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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