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 The consolidation of the entertainment industry has given rise to some remarkable ironies. Judy Berman, Time, 29 Sep. 2025 For some irony, given the licensing deal with Netflix, Korvo and Terry announce that the Solar Opposites are broke, with all of their moneymaking machines zapped. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025 Two heartless killers using every inch of the law to escape justice is a cruel irony. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025 Notably, Intelsat 10-02 was docked with a commercial servicing spacecraft at the time, and in a twist of irony, was launched by a Russian rocket in 2004. Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irony
Noun
  • Safdie perceptively locates the protagonist’s troubling inner contradictions—the atavistic fury that drives him to compete and the intense self-control that competition demands—but dramatizes such outer crises as opioid addiction and conflict with his girlfriend (Emily Blunt) only schematically.
    Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The Knicks are a contradiction.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The comedically top-heavy sausages, which can easily topple forwards into the dirt, temporarily take center stage as the baseball players gaze on in amusement from their dugouts, sometimes wagering on the outcome.
    Don Riddell, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The film is family-friendly, with the lyric videos playing for the clean versions of songs create amusement when compared with explicit versions.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Virtual particles are a striking paradox of modern physics.
    Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
  • That paradox is central to Swift’s gestalt.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Ohio is another absurdity, used to describe something strange, weird, or cringey.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The absurdity of the situation began to dawn on me, and a round of giggles began building inside.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Some of the hangars are used as soundstages, and Linklater pointed out an old air-traffic-control tower, jutting, with pleasing retro-futurist incongruity, out of a public plaza.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
  • So the incongruity might be coming from a place of the myth of meritocracy.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There should be no dichotomy here.
    Rick Tumlinson, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2025
  • That dichotomy was really interesting to me.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irony. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on irony

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!