irony

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun irony differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of irony are humor, repartee, sarcasm, satire, and wit. While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.

the irony of the title

When can humor be used instead of irony?

While the synonyms humor and irony are close in meaning, humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.

a sense of humor

When is it sensible to use repartee instead of irony?

The words repartee and irony are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

a dinner guest noted for repartee

Where would sarcasm be a reasonable alternative to irony?

The meanings of sarcasm and irony largely overlap; however, sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

given to heartless sarcasm

When is satire a more appropriate choice than irony?

The synonyms satire and irony are sometimes interchangeable, but satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.

a satire on the Congress

When could wit be used to replace irony?

While in some cases nearly identical to irony, wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

a playful wit

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 irony At the time of the claim, there was plenty of online commentary about the irony of the Oilers having to take on a waiver player from the Blues. Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 17 May 2025 In a twist of irony, Epic Games’ Fortnite will return to the iOS App Store this week after almost five years of absence — though with a creative workaround. Jackie Snow, Quartz, 12 May 2025 The irony is that Janine working in Jezebel’s has brought back some of her spark. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025 That is, of course, the irony, since those smaller markets are the very ones that PBS was intended to serve when it was created. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for irony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irony
Noun
  • Listen for what’s unsaid, name the contradictions and hold a space where growth actually takes root.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • The arrival of white South Africans in the U.S. as refugees highlights the contradictions of Trump’s immigration policies, Hamed Aleaziz and Michael Crowley write.
    Eric Lipton, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • One parent judge loves these stacking cups for their endless amusement.
    Pamela Brill, Parents, 22 May 2025
  • Cruise also got a lot of props for once again putting his life on the line for our amusement.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • In the early nineties, Pavement looked like a funny paradox, a crew of cherubs in collared shirts backed by Young, a long-haired, often shirtless showman pounding his drums.
    Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
  • Finally, at the Holistic level, leaders perceive systems in their entirety, integrating opposites, transcending paradox, and innovating by embracing complexity.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • CHiPs was real, Kid Cop Nights is fake, and neither the two-dimensional storytelling of the former nor the hacky absurdity of the latter seem to have much in common with either of the shows referencing them.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2025
  • The latest teaser trailer features some of the same delightful absurdity as the 1984 original.
    Ben Rosenstock, Time, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Kirby’s incongruity is terrifying, so said someone much wiser than me.
    Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
  • Crumb’s gawky, eccentric persona was first revealed to the wider public in a 1994 documentary made by his friend Terry Zwigoff, which portrays the cartoonist with all of his incongruities.
    Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This dichotomy of leadership styles could prove instrumental in a locker room filled with rookies and rising stars.
    Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
  • Encapsulating the dichotomy of genre, SINNERS explores perceptions of the blues and gospel music, which are identical sonically—but wrestle in connotation as blues was once deemed the devil’s music.
    Nia Shumake, Essence, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Irony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irony. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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