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

While effective, Whipple shields are heavy, costly, and prone to fragmentation on impact, ironically adding more debris to the environment they’re meant to protect. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025

One of the best ways to pay it off, ironically enough, is with another credit card. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025

But crucial treatments were delayed, and early-season assessments—which, ironically, make the effort more efficient by determining exactly where to treat—had to be reduced. —Katie Thornton, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025

The cousins shave Stone’s head and slather her with a cream to keep her from contacting her mother ship, ironically giving her a more alien appearance in the process. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ironically

• ultrasonically
• canonically
• laconically
• tectonically