Definition of SARDONIC

Examples of sardonic in a Sentence

“The Great War,” used interchangeably with “the First World War” (so named in 1918 by a sardonic English journalist, who knew it would not be the last such conflict) … —Benjamin Schwarz, Atlantic, May 1999
They have that brand of sardonic humor special to people up against it: black and wry and shocking … —Doris Lessing, New Yorker, 16 Mar. 1987
In a story by Flaubert, this spreading of cloths to save the carpet would be observed with a sardonic eye; in Lawrence it is bleakly practical. —Hugh Kenner, A Sinking Island, 1987
The movie is a sardonic look at modern life.
a sardonic little jab that made her visitor quiet and subdued for the rest of the night

Recent Examples of sardonic from the Web

The movie nods in the direction of interspecies solidarity, but in Reeves’ sardonic summation, nothing in the life of men becomes us like the leaving it.

— gary thompson, Philly.com, "Look Who's Talking: 'War for the Planet of the Apes' wraps epic trilogy," 12 July 2017
Benioff, who wears his hair in a Morrissey quiff, is the more sardonic one.

— TIME.com, "Game of Thrones: How They Make the World’s Most Popular Show," 30 June 2017
Allen’s long, ascetic face, with narrow eyes and raised eyebrows, lends him an expression of perpetual seriousness that belies his sardonic good humor.

— Smithsonian, "How (and Where) Did Hannibal Cross the Alps?," 28 June 2017
His efforts to prove his point are illustrated in a series of vignettes that are alternately satiric and sad, sentimental and sardonic.

— albert williams, Chicago Reader, "Chicago Folks Operetta mounts the Chicago premiere of a landmark work by Kurt Weill," 28 June 2017
SOULWAX Three drummers slammed home the sheer overkill of Soulwax, a Belgian band with an aggressively sardonic attitude toward pop and technology.

— jon pareles, New York Times, "Sónar 2017: 15 of the Best Sets From the Barcelona Music Festival," 18 June 2017
Roy’s novel is marbled with mordant anecdotes and sardonic humor that hit their marks on the absurdity of nationalism, caste, fundamentalism, war, gender politics and the human condition.

— patty rhule, USA TODAY, "Arundhati Roy preaches understanding in 'Ministry'," 17 June 2017
The sardonic tones of the accompanying narration — voiced by someone whose identity will be revealed later on — are an early indication that Mr. Pitt may not be the hero of the story.

— a. o. scott, New York Times, "Review: ‘War Machine’: Brad Pitt Has Met the Enemy. He Just Doesn’t Know It Yet.," 25 May 2017
If this were a Hitchcock film, the shooting might put a sardonic cap on the drama.

— lloyd sachs, chicagotribune.com, "Review: The latest by Lehane, Turow and Paretsky," 16 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of sardonic

French sardonique, from Greek sardonios

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1638

See Words from the same year

sardonic Synonyms

Synonyms

acerb, acerbic, acid, acidic, acidulous, acrid, barbed, biting, caustic, corrosive, cutting, mordant, pungent, sarcastic, satiric (or satirical), scalding, scathing, sharp, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, smart-mouthed, snarky, tart

Near Antonyms

amusing, droll, merry, playful, sportive, waggish; gentle, mild; bland; good-humored, good-natured; diplomatic, polite, smooth, suave, urbane; affable, cordial, genial, gracious, hospitable, sociable

Synonym Discussion of sardonic

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

sardonic