ironically

adverb

iron·​i·​cal·​ly ˌī-ˈrä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

also i-ˈrä-

1

: in an ironic manner

2

: it is ironic, curious, or surprising

Examples of ironically in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the only others that would have been an international incident, ironically, is current Chinese president Xi Jinping. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Marathon is also the next game from Bungie, the makers of the legendary shooters Halo and Destiny (two franchises that, ironically, the COD publisher Activision has its tendrils in). — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

But the big mistake, ironically, was the ACA’s lack of focus on affordability. — Dana P. Goldman, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026

The closest was ironically this year’s Wild Horse Nine Best Actor frontrunner John Malkovich, who played himself in 1999’s Being John Malkovich. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ironically

• ultrasonically
• harmonically
• laconically
• tectonically