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 Easter 2025 happens to fall on a day with an unusual number of historical tragedies and ironies. Terry Collins, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025 The comment underlined the irony of Silicon Valley’s increasingly cozy relationship with the Trump administration, which has cut federal science funding and defied scientific consensus. Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025 The irony is that most companies are already collecting this data, but it’s stored in siloed systems that don’t talk to one another. Ryan Wong, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025 Don’t really care about awards, but sense some irony or hypocrisy floating around. Scott Powers, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irony
Noun
  • No surprise here—for the life of the Church, like that of each Christian, reaches redemption by taking on the shape of the Cross: the universal sign of contradiction, even unto herself.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
  • This contradiction between rhetoric and reality cannot be ignored.
    Jeffrey Gahler, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • More casual, and far more intimate, is the arsenal of gun shots—regular Americans, children as well as adults, toting their weaponry for the camera, and for the nervous amusement of their friends and relatives.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Out of the amusement of babes comes a perfect alternative to the current tariffs panic.
    Armond White, National Review, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But here's the paradox: pursuing happiness often makes people more unhappy.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Many Alaskans see the prospect as an embarrassing paradox – akin to Hawaii importing pineapples or New Mexico importing green chiles.
    Brett Watson, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Within the film’s glittering absurdity, Langlois shows us how easily the monster that was fame and fandom could turn on women like Mimi and Billie.
    Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Based in Brooklyn, the studio will focus on stories that go inside the fringe to capture the absurdity of modern American life.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Understand nuance, relational differences, and can deal with incongruity.
    Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Camp is this aesthetic of ironic juxtaposition, taking something that might be shocking in its incongruity, and then using it to create a cool or humorous effect.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The fear that optimizing for performance will dilute brands’ authenticity is a false dichotomy.
    Alex Khassa, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Sinners also offers a contemporary look into this racial dichotomy by subtly addressing the one-drop rule — a 1662 legal doctrine that declared anyone with any Black ancestry, regardless of how small, to be considered African American.
    Melanie Curry, Refinery29, 19 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Irony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irony. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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