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

His wry observation was published in the newspaper in November 2007. — Will Higgins, Indianapolis Star, "These two men compete to get one-liners in IndyStar’s ‘Let it Out’ section," 23 Apr. 2018 This wry, under-the-radar commentary feels prescient now, as if Craig was predicting the decade of controversy over Elba that would follow. — Aja Romano, Vox, "Celebrating 10 years of Idris Elba becoming James Bond any second now," 10 Aug. 2018 At the splendid age of 100, Sevigny remains a wry, twinkling repository of anecdote and memory, an ageless witness to a golden era of design and hospitality. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "An Exhibition in Tangier Pays Tribute to Design World Darling Charles Sevigny," 3 Aug. 2018 Amid this wry look at the sandwich generation, Pearson adds a dose of medical advice about hormone replacement therapy. — Patty Rhule, USA TODAY, "'How Hard Can It Be?' Just ask Kate, who's turning 50 in hilarious, timely new novel," 4 June 2018 Allegri could have afforded himself a wry smile on Wednesday after comprehensively beating AC Milan 4-0. — Daniella Matar, chicagotribune.com, "As Juventus win titles, Allegri future remains in doubt," 10 May 2018 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

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.