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 There is a slight irony in the fact that at a time when football was becoming concerned at the dominance of systems over the star power of individuals, this was actually the period in World Cup history where three straight tournaments were overwhelmingly dominated by one man. Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025 Grandma shoes making a comeback in the trend cycle feels like a delicious irony. Alex Sales, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2025 Sitting in his present-day home in La Costa, Mitchell laughed at the irony. Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025 There was a certain amount of irony to The Post ask. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irony
Noun
  • The Maduro government has seized on these contradictions to argue that the campaign is politically motivated.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • That kind of contradiction doesn’t faze her.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Behind the scenes Six Flags Entertainment is a regional amusement-resort operator with approximately 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and nine resort properties across 17 states in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Taking place at the City Center Bishop Ranch, the event invites both pets and their owners to don outfits and strut their stuff for the amusement of the general public.
    Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The film lays bare the tensions and paradoxes of nuclear deterrence, said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, which advocates for nuclear arms control.
    Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Consumers are caught in a paradox; the warnings are everywhere, yet the alternatives are nowhere.
    Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Alps is really about the absurdity of acting in general, and perhaps the specific psychological burden of the Method in particular.
    A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The costumes point out the absurdity of bringing National Guard troops into cities, Faith Gill said.
    Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • As the book progresses, some of the children in the photographs are older and more in control of their outward expression, but scraps of strangeness or incongruity always peek through.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
  • So the incongruity might be coming from a place of the myth of meritocracy.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • All under Guadagnino’s scrupulous direction and cinematographer Malik Sayeed’s (Belly) visualization, the performative guise of Ivy League school decorum delivers as the perfect dichotomy to the serious nature of what these characters put each other through.
    Malik Peay, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The house’s spectacle in Grand Palais and fashion show is rooted in technological, futuristic and artisanal imaginations, while experiencing a dichotomy with the reinvention of clothing, which carries a sensitive memory of the past — projecting a constellation of colors, codes and values.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irony. Accessed 31 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!