sarcasm

noun sar·casm \ ˈsär-ˌka-zəm \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Editor's Note: What is the Origin of sarcasm?

Definition of sarcasm

1 : a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain

2 a : a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual

b : the use or language of sarcasm

See sarcasm defined for English-language learners

See sarcasm defined for kids

sarcasm was our Word of the Day on 03/27/2017. Hear the podcast!

Examples of sarcasm in a Sentence

"That was my favorite show yet this tour," Banks says. "I love audiences that are ambivalent." For a second, I think he's laying on the sarcasm, until he continues. "I really like the chance to win people over." —David Peisner, Spin, August 2007
"The best part of being single," Bryce Donovan jokes, "is being able to choose any woman I want to shoot me down." Such self-deprecating sarcasm is the trademark of this newsman's four-year-old weekly column "It Beats Working" in the Charleston Post and Courier. —People, 26 June 2006
"But see," I say … "in my line of work I'm supposed to dress in a way that makes clients feel sorry for me, or better yet superior to me. I think I accomplish that pretty well." Paul looks over at me again with a distasteful look that might be ready to slide into sarcasm, only he doesn't know if I'm making fun of him. He says nothing. —Richard Ford, Independence Day, (1995) 1996
a voice full of sarcasm
I know you're not happy, but there's no need to resort to petty sarcasms to make your point.

Recent Examples of sarcasm from the Web

Rumor has it, Harry's speech was just as touching–with a dash of sarcasm and humor.

— carrie goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Everything You Need to Know About Meghan Markle's Emotional Reception Speech," 21 May 2018
Chloe might not master sarcasm until her teen years, but her inborn knack for language is already clear.

— matthew hutson, Science | AAAS, "How researchers are teaching AI to learn like a child," 24 May 2018
And some others decided to respond with sarcasm, rather than directly fight back.

— felicia gans, BostonGlobe.com, "Political analyst Bill Kristol criticized Boston, and Twitter was not too thrilled," 23 May 2018
That hasn't dampened the fact that this is a Deadpool-caliber sequel, with gross gags, juvenile jokes, and cutting sarcasm for days.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "Deadpool 2 review: Not better, but still enough bloody fun for series fans," 17 May 2018
But Vollmann's signature wit and sarcasm (and photos) add some relief and human context.

— allen pierleoni, latimes.com, "William T. Vollmann turns his mammoth talents to climate change," 11 May 2018
With an amazing sense of humour and gets my British sarcasm (also rare).

— taysha murtaugh, Country Living, "How Christina El Moussa Found Love With Boyfriend Ant Anstead Following Her Divorce From Tarek," 3 May 2018
Their easy rapport marries Cody’s whip-smart sarcasm with Reitman’s sincerity.

— jake coyle, Detroit Free Press, "Review: ‘Tully’ offers rare peek at lives of young moms," 3 May 2018
Having sarcasm and having that dark comedic sense usually comes from being an underdog or having some pain.

— sarah slutsky, Glamour, "Rachel Brosnahan Lost Jobs for Not Being Funny. Who's Laughing Now?," 15 May 2018

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

What is the Origin of sarcasm?

If you've ever been hurt by a remark full of cutting sarcasm, you have some insight into the origins of the word. "Sarcasm" can be traced back to the Greek verb sarkazein, which initially meant "to tear flesh like a dog." "Sarkazein" eventually developed extended senses of "to bite one's lips in rage," "to gnash one's teeth," and eventually "to sneer." "Sarkazein" led to the Greek noun sarkasmos, ("a sneering or hurtful remark"), iterations of which passed through French and Late Latin before arriving in English as "sarcasm" in the mid-16th century. Even today sarcasm is often described as sharp, cutting, or wounding, reminiscent of the original meaning of the Greek verb.

Origin and Etymology of sarcasm

earlier sarcasmus, borrowed from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French sarcasme, borrowed from Late Latin sarcasmos "mockery," borrowed from Late Greek sarkasmós, from Greek sarkázein "to jeer at while biting the lips (in galen" (perhaps, if the original sense was "to bite or strip off flesh," derivative of sark-, sárx "flesh") + -smos, suffix of verbal action — more at sarco-

Note: The original sense of the Greek verb sarkázein is conjectural, as all instances referring to jeering or mockery come from late or post-classical sources, generally lexica. The sole significant early uses are in Aristophanes' play Peace, where the Megarians, while pulling boulders from the entrance to a cave, are described as performing the action of the verb sarkázein "like mean (?) curs," while perishing from hunger ("hoi Megarês… hélkousin d' hómōs glischrótata sarkázontes hṓsper kynídia"); and in the Hippocratic treatise "On Joints" (Perì Arthrôn), where the verb is used to describe hoofed animals eating grass. In both cases the interpretation of sarkázein is far from transparent.

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1619

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

sarcasm Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of sarcasm

wit, humor, irony, sarcasm, satire, repartee mean a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement. wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

- a playful wit

humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.

- a sense of humor

irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.

- the irony of the title

sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

- given to heartless sarcasm

satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.