IRONICAL Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ironic' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ironic are sarcastic , sardonic , and satiric . While all these words mean "marked by bitterness and a power or will to cut or sting," ironic implies an attempt to be amusing or provocative by saying usually the opposite of what is meant. // made the ironic observation that the government could always be trusted

Q: When is 'sarcastic' a more appropriate choice than 'ironic'?

The meanings of sarcastic and ironic largely overlap; however, sarcastic implies an intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting, or ridiculing. // a critic known for his sarcastic remarks

Q: When would 'sardonic' be a good substitute for 'ironic'?

The words sardonic and ironic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sardonic implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression. // surveyed the scene with a sardonic smile

Q: When is it sensible to use 'satiric' instead of 'ironic'?

In some situations, the words satiric and ironic are roughly equivalent. However, satiric implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation. // a satiric look at contemporary society

ironic

adjective

variants also ironical

Definition of ironic

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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How is the word ironic different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ironic are sarcastic, sardonic, and satiric. While all these words mean "marked by bitterness and a power or will to cut or sting," ironic implies an attempt to be amusing or provocative by saying usually the opposite of what is meant.

made the ironic observation that the government could always be trusted

When is sarcastic a more appropriate choice than ironic?

The meanings of sarcastic and ironic largely overlap; however, sarcastic implies an intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting, or ridiculing.

a critic known for his sarcastic remarks

When would sardonic be a good substitute for ironic?

The words sardonic and ironic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sardonic implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression.

surveyed the scene with a sardonic smile

When is it sensible to use satiric instead of ironic?

In some situations, the words satiric and ironic are roughly equivalent. However, satiric implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation.

a satiric look at contemporary society

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ironic Sure, that’s an ironic takeaway for a second-generation horror sequel. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026 Looking back at making As Good As Dead, Lucas remembers one of the more ironic cutting-room floor details. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 8 July 2026 While Ishmael may pause before coffin-warehouses—coffins, of all sorts, become a major leitmotif of the novel—or even talk of committing suicide, his tone is wry, even ironic. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 Then, in an ironic twist, Phil Weiser could appoint his replacement. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ironic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ironic

Adjective

The Venus flytrap is native only to the coastal wetlands and bogs of North Carolina and South Carolina, and grows naturally in nutrient-poor, acidic, and perpetually wet areas.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 14 July 2026
Earlier studies also showed that slightly acidic seawater from the BPMED process can accelerate algae growth, and allow future systems to simultaneously recover minerals while producing chemicals, fuels, fertilizers, and biomass.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

Definition of acidic

Adjective

To complete the drama, England finished with 13, Argentina with 15 when Henry Pollock was sent to the sin-bin over team infringements and Emmanuel Iyogun, on debut, for cynical offending.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Booked even earlier than Romero for a cynical foul, he was substituted partly out of fear of a second yellow in the 72nd minute.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of cynical

Adjective

Three teenagers have been arrested in connection with an acid attack on six women in Jersey City, New Jersey, last month, public safety officials said.

— Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 15 July 2026
Over several decades, hundreds and hundreds of tons — hundreds of thousands of gallons — of acid waste from the pesticide DDT and even DDT itself were dumped into the ocean off the Palos Verdes Peninsula and near Catalina Island.

— Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of acid

Adjective

Neill was remembered as a wry friend and gentleman by friends, entertainment industry folks and New Zealanders who knew him.

— Brittany Levine Beckman, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
With his rugged handsomeness and wry sense of humor, Neill built an almost-50-year career playing heroes and villains, freaks and geniuses.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 13 July 2026

Definition of wry

Adjective

And in the film’s poignant final scene, Joe despondently plays his piano − only for Angela to sit beside him and start plunking along.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Sidny Lopes Cabral’s delightful curling strike was one of the great World Cup moments and the image of him in the crowd right after was poignant.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of poignant

Adjective

Occasionally our wells run a little dry, and that’s our cue to go fill them up again with all kinds of beautiful things.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
The combination of extreme heat and dry conditions in Ontario and northern Minnesota led to significant spread of wildfires on July 13.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 16 July 2026

Definition of dry

Adjective

Another way to say this is that, in place of the extensive self-announcements Plato allows his characters, Rochester substitutes his own summary judgements, his sarcastic imitations.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
This is taken as evidence of his status, not a sarcastic criticism.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026

Definition of sarcastic

Adjective

Supporters embraced the insult as a badge of resistance, turning it into a satirical political campaign that amassed more than 21 million Instagram followers in a few days.

— Aijaz Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
Supporters embraced the insult as a badge of resilience, turning it into a satirical political campaign that amassed more than 21 million Instagram followers in a few days.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026

Definition of satiric

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ironhearted

ironic

ironing

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“Ironic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ironic. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ironic

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