variants
also ironical
as in acidic
marked by an often negative or mocking form of wit in which words are used to express something different to their literal meaning
a book written in an ironic style an ironic sense of humor
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ironic
In both films, Jarmusch strips away the ironic detachment and deadpan drollery that were part of his signature in the earlier movies that earned him a prominent spot on the American indie map.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
What the Panama Playlists reveal The playlists range from ironic to eyebrow-raising, with some choices feeling almost too on the nose.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Both tendencies remain open as to mode―tragic, comic, romantic, ironic, or two or more modes in combination.
—Douglas Unger
august 29, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025
His style is Olympian on the surface, the ironic detachment of his pictures casting a cold, curious eye at humanity’s follies and derangements.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ironic
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
What the Panama Playlists reveal The playlists range from ironic to eyebrow-raising, with some choices feeling almost too on the nose.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Both tendencies remain open as to mode―tragic, comic, romantic, ironic, or two or more modes in combination.
—Douglas Unger
august 29, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 2025
His style is Olympian on the surface, the ironic detachment of his pictures casting a cold, curious eye at humanity’s follies and derangements.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ironic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ironic
Adjective
-
Over time, the egg white becomes more acidic.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Three million gallons of acidic mine drainage flooded into the Animas River basin 10 years ago, turning the southern Colorado river a mustard yellow and making international headlines.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The story is told by the cynical (and unreliable) film scout Striker, often in hallucinations and flashbacks.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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There’s a cynical take that says performers are just the last jobs left to automate.—
Seth Yudof,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This touchscreen pod machine has a lot to offer, including rich, balanced, coffee; a whopping eight brewing sizes; one-touch presets for low-acid, Americano, iced coffee, and cold brew; plus customizable temperature control and brew strength.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Aug. 2025
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How does the new silver extraction method work The technology, known as Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction (JESE), uses a fine stream of weak acid to dissolve silver directly from the panel surface in seconds—the acid stream targets only the silver, leaving everything else untouched.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Without either damning or lauding him, the script drops wry hints that POTUS’ relaxed charm is as much a part of the package as his experience and authority.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
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His narration is a constant pleasure — mournful, wry, and suffused with a world-weary poetry.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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One of the most poignant choices is to intercut scratchy film of the train that in 1921 transported the Unknown Soldier to Rome in a coffin draped with patriotic banners and flowers, to be enshrined in the Altar of the Fatherland with an eternal flame at the Vittorio Emanuele II monument.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
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Pitted against the unforgettably evil Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), a sadist who drugs and abuses the unlucky patients in her care, McMurphy’s stand against the oppressive powers that be is tragic and poignant and spoke to the spirit of a time in which so many felt misunderstood.—
Christina Newland,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Since 1994, the region has experienced drier-than-normal conditions.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Even an otherwise neutral comment can be contorted into a sarcastic retort, an insult or a counterattack.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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On the par-4 14th, Scheffler splashed out of a greenside bunker to 10 feet, missed the par putt, and then, without hesitation, threw a sarcastic fist pump toward the hole.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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His upcoming credits included Ruben Östlund's satirical black comedy The Entertainment System is Down, also set to star Keanu Reeves, Kirsten Dunst, and Woody Harrelson.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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The movie is an adaptation of Donald Westlake’s 1997 satirical thriller The Ax, which was also adapted by the great Costa Gavras in 2005.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ironic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ironic. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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