sarcastic

adjective

sar·​cas·​tic sär-ˈka-stik 

1

: having the character of sarcasm

sarcastic criticism

2

: given to the use of sarcasm : caustic

a sarcastic critic

sarcastically

sär-ˈka-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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Snarky vs. Sarcastic

Some have questioned whether snarky is a real word. There can be no doubt that it is; the adjective has been recorded in English since 1906. Its original meaning, “crotchety, snappish,” has largely been overtaken, however, by the far more frequently-encountered sense “sarcastic, impertinent or irreverent.” The precise difference between utterances described as sarcastic and snarky will vary somewhat based on the individual using each word. Some feel that sarcastic usually implies irony, or stating the opposite of what is really intended (for example, “thank you so much for your promptness” spoken to someone who arrives late), whereas snarky implies simple impertinence or irreverence (as when Downton Abbey's Dowager Countess asks Isobel Crawley, “does it ever get cold on the moral high ground?”)

Synonyms

• acerb
• acerbic
• acid
• acidic
• acidulous
• acrid
• barbed
• biting
• caustic
• corrosive
• cutting
• mordant
• pungent
• sardonic
• satiric
• satirical
• scalding
• scathing
• sharp
• smart-aleck
• smart-alecky
• smart-mouthed
• snarky
• tart

Choose the Right Synonym for sarcastic

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 sarcastic in a Sentence

DeWitt is everything Shea is not. And Shea quickly felt DeWitt's contempt. "Lincoln is loud," Jim says. "He makes sarcastic comments because he has to call attention to himself all the time. Some people are insecure because they haven't established themselves yet." —Anne Marie Cruz, ESPN, 18 Feb. 2002

Close on the heels of "Millionaire" came "The Weakest Link," which added a new wrinkle (subsequently picked up by "American Idol"): Its British host, Anne Robinson, was presented not as a genteel, erudite tutor but rather as a rude, sarcastic jerk. —Andrew Sullivan, New Republic, 4 Nov. 2002

Frank evokes the eccentric Hamilton family and their feisty Gullah housekeeper with originality and conviction; Susan herself—smart, sarcastic, funny and endearingly flawed—makes a lively and memorable narrator. —Publishers Weekly, 24 Jan. 2000

her sarcastic comments that my singing reminded her of the time her dog was sick

Recent Examples on the Web

This American version of Stockholm syndrome gets twisted by Rock’s sarcastic approach to political contempt. —Armond White, National Review, 23 Oct. 2024

Michael Ball is superb as Javert, while Gavin Lee and Bonnie Langford are brilliantly wicked, and funny, as the Fagin-esque innkeeper Thénardier and his sarcastic wife. —The Week Uk, theweek, 10 Oct. 2024

Tylee, who had always been Lori’s sweet little girl, became a sarcastic, bitter and often surly teenager. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 29 Sep. 2024

Musk called the post sarcastic in response to criticism and didn’t delete it. —Bruna Horvath, NBC News, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

sarc(asm) + -astic, by analogy with other Greek-derived words where the suffixes -asm and -astic imply one another (as enthusiasm, enthusiastic)

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sarcastic

adjective

sar·​cas·​tic sär-ˈkas-tik 

1

: containing sarcasm

a sarcastic remark

2

: being in the habit of using sarcasm

a sarcastic person

sarcastically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb