wry

verb

\ˈrī

wried; wrying

Definition of wry

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

: twist, writhe

transitive verb

: to pull out of or as if out of proper shape : make awry

wry

adjective

wryer\ˈrī(-ə)r

\; wryest\ˈrī-əst

Definition of wry (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : bent, twisted, or turned usually abnormally to one side a wry nose

2 : made by a deliberate distortion of the facial muscles often to express irony or mockery a wry smile

3 : wrongheaded sense 1

4 : cleverly and often ironically or grimly humorous a wry wit

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Examples of wry in a Sentence

Adjective

His books are noted for their wry humor. When I asked her how she felt after winning the race, she gave me a wry smile and said, “Pretty tired.”

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Inhabiting the role of an icon of Native American resistance is no small feat, but Greyeyes, a Canadian actor of Plains Cree descent, draws you in with his wry wit and quiet gravity. — Justin Chang, latimes.com, "Jessica Chastain plays the artist who painted Sitting Bull in the inert history lesson 'Woman Walks Ahead'," 28 June 2018 Five speakers all described Matt the same way: Loyal, enthusiastic, with a wry sense of humor. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Daugherty's Morning Line: Do you really want your players in the MLB All-Star Game?," 9 July 2018 The scene has a level of wry, subtle wit that, alas, writer-director Shana Feste does not manage to sustain in Boundaries, a road movie and shaggy dog story (full of shaggy dogs) with sharp detours but an inevitable destination. — Gary Thompson, Philly.com, "'Boundaries' reduces Farmiga to Plummer's helper.," 4 July 2018 When combined with his deadpan delivery and wry sense of humor, each obstacle to overcome or hoop to jump through takes on a life of its own. — Alexis Burling, SFChronicle.com, "‘I Will Be Complete,’ by Glen David Gold," 21 June 2018 His voice is detached and wry, not unlike a character from a story by Samuel Beckett. — The Economist, "A startling debut novel from a South African poet," 14 June 2018 More on Tony and Sophia: Vivacious, outgoing and in charge, Sophia, 89, was a great complement to Tony's wry, man-of-few-words personality. — Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free Press, "After 71 years together, death has separated a Macomb Township couple," 4 June 2018 The wry observational comedian is unfailingly funny, and one of the better family-friendly acts. — Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle, "Peter Hartlaub’s pop culture and comedy picks, June 3," 31 May 2018 An omniscient Will Rogers comments not just on today’s news (including wry remarks concerning Scott Pruitt, President Trump and Special Counsel Robert Mueller) but on his own tragic death in a 1935 plane crash at the age of 55. — Christopher Arnott, courant.com, "David Lutken Tames a Wild, Woolly 'Will Rogers Follies'," 3 May 2018

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