satiric

adjective

sa·​tir·​ic sə-ˈtir-ik 

variants or satirical

sə-ˈtir-i-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or constituting satire

satiric writers

2

: manifesting or given to satire

satirically

sə-ˈtir-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for satiric

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 satiric in a Sentence

a satiric story about the movie business

Recent Examples on the Web

All Systems Red is a legible introduction to Wells’ hyper-capitalist, playfully satiric galaxy. —Rory Doherty, Time, 16 May 2025

That’s the premise of Douglas Is Cancelled, a cruelly funny 2024 BBC sitcom that seems very much in sync with satiric comedies such as The Office and W1A and Yes Minister. —Air Mail, 22 Mar. 2025

Misery, a horror movie with a satiric streak, launched Bates’s film stardom. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025

The real star of the show, though, is not the satiric script or the campy performances, but rather how each character brings their own unique approach to dressing for the corporate ladder. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for satiric

• balearic
• empiric
• etheric
• hemispheric
• panegyric
• stratospheric
• interhemispheric
• lyric
• pyrrhic
• stearic