sarcasm

noun sar·casm \ ˈsär-ˌka-zəm \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

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

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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

Moscow responded to the ultimatum with scorn and sarcasm, ultimately blowing off May’s demands.

— matthew bodner and karla adam, BostonGlobe.com, "US, France, Germany join Britain in blaming Russia for attack," 15 Mar. 2018
For Trixie Mattel, the Barbie motif paired with Firkus' sarcasm and wit resonates with fans.

— lainey seyler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "For 'Drag Race' winner Trixie Mattel, Barbie beauty combined with Wisconsin-bred humor is a winning combination," 23 Mar. 2018
Jonathan Blue, a season ticket holder and chairman and managing director of Blue Equity LLC, conveyed sarcasm over the university's hopes to lessen its punishment.

— grace schneider, The Courier-Journal, "University of Louisville boosters blast 'worthless' NCAA over handling of violations," 20 Feb. 2018
The sarcasm just made Ingraham, a seasoned cable TV cage fighter, punch harder with a wall of negative facts about Baltimore City schools — something there is no shortage of.

— david zurawik, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore Mayor Pugh gets into on-air spat with Laura Ingraham — and it wasn't pretty," 8 Mar. 2018
Clint Bowyer – who’s possibly known for his sarcasm and more than any other driver – slammed Nickelback over his No.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "NASCAR's Clint Bowyer fires shot at Nickelback moments before racing," 7 Mar. 2018
Aggressive humor is marked by sarcasm, teasing, and ridicule at the expense of others, while self-defeating humor involves putting yourself down to gain approval from others.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "Senses of Humor Come in Four Types—Which One Are You?," 7 Mar. 2018
But as with all sarcasm, there was more than a hint of truth in that statement.

— aaron blake, Washington Post, "John Kelly jokes (?) that ‘God punished’ him when he left DHS to be Trump’s chief of staff," 1 Mar. 2018
There are few things hockey players enjoy more than chirping at each other, so naturally much of the conversation came with sarcasm and revolved around ribbing each other.

— USA TODAY, "New team, who dis? US players form chemistry via group chat," 9 Feb. 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

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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.