wit

wit, humor, irony, sarcasm, satire, repartee mean a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement. wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

• • a playful wit

humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.

• • a sense of humor

irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.

• • the irony of the title

sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

• • given to heartless sarcasm

satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.

• • a satire on the Congress

repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

• • a dinner guest noted for repartee