sardonic

adjective

sar·​don·​ic sär-ˈdä-nik How to pronounce sardonic (audio)
: disdainfully or skeptically humorous : derisively mocking
a sardonic comment
sardonically adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Healy is known for his sardonic comments on stage by his fans, so this came as no surprise to them. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 1 July 2025 The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) Many critics and fans believe The Life Aquatic, a silly, sometimes sardonic, and deeply sincere ode to the renowned red beanie-wearing oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, is Wes Anderson’s most underrated film to date. Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025 There’s also sardonic, horny, intellectually lit up. Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025 Ortega delivers a pitch-perfect take on the sardonic teen, who's shipped off to Nevermore Academy after her umpteenth expulsion. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sardonic

Word History

Etymology

re-formation, with the suffix -ic entry 1, of earlier sardonian, from Greek sardónios, alteration (after Sardónios "Sardinian") of earlier sardánios "(of laughter or smiling) bitter, scornful" (of obscure origin) + -an entry 2

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sardonic was in 1638

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Cite this Entry

“Sardonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sardonic. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

sardonic

adjective
sar·​don·​ic sär-ˈdän-ik How to pronounce sardonic (audio)
sardonically adverb

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