sarcastic

adjective

sar·​cas·​tic sär-ˈka-stik How to pronounce sarcastic (audio)
1
: having the character of sarcasm
sarcastic criticism
2
: given to the use of sarcasm : caustic
a sarcastic critic
sarcastically 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?”)

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 The series reunited him with O’Hara as Johnny’s eccentric actress wife, Moira, alongside Daniel as their sarcastic yet sensible son, David, and Annie Murphy as their aloof but lovable daughter, Alexis. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 The recruiter was being sarcastic, as Mr. Begay learned when he was sent to become a code talker. Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Feb. 2024 The charge stems from a sarcastic comment Haley made in New Hampshire about the state’s residents correcting Iowa’s outcome. USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2024 In an online obituary, Ellyse was remembered as someone who had a sarcastic sense of humor and was compassionate. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024 This means that this sarcastic look is close to them. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 2 Feb. 2024 From sarcastic captions to unflattering candid photos to poking fun at each other on talk shows, check out Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's best trolling moments below. Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024 Little of the swirl of drama that Gerwig’s failure to land an Oscar nomination for 2023’s top-grossing movie was apparent at the DGA’s ceremony, apart from a joke from presenter Jonah Hill that fell into an uncanny valley between sarcastic and sincere. Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2024 Wondering if your sarcastic sense of humor is truly magnetic? Mark Travers, Forbes, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sarcastic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sarcastic was in 1695

Dictionary Entries Near sarcastic

Cite this Entry

“Sarcastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sarcastic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sarcastic

adjective
sar·​cas·​tic sär-ˈkas-tik How to pronounce sarcastic (audio)
1
: containing sarcasm
a sarcastic remark
2
: being in the habit of using sarcasm
a sarcastic person
sarcastically adverb

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