wried; wrying
: to pull out of or as if out of proper shape : make awry
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
4
: cleverly and often ironically or grimly humorous
a wry wit
wryness
noun
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
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Van Pelt’s giant Pacific octopus narrator — wry, curmudgeonly, deeply observant — is the beating heart of the book.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
Leclerc responded only with a wry smile.
—Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2026
Davis is wry and quietly defiant of stereotype, her Elaine’s composure hard-won and her sacrifice of certain kinds of sympathy fully comprehensible.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
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Adjective
The story weaves together themes of loss, found family and the small mysteries that can change lives — all narrated through the wry, observant voice of a creature who may just be smarter than the humans around him.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Van Pelt’s giant Pacific octopus narrator — wry, curmudgeonly, deeply observant — is the beating heart of the book.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
Leclerc responded only with a wry smile.
—Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2026
Davis is wry and quietly defiant of stereotype, her Elaine’s composure hard-won and her sacrifice of certain kinds of sympathy fully comprehensible.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wry. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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