Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

sarcastic

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of sarcastic

marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
  • Her sarcastic comments didn't do anything to help the situation.
Synonyms of sarcastic

acerbic, acid, acidic, acrid, barbed, biting, caustic, corrosive, cutting, mordant, pungent, sardonic, satiric (or satirical), scalding, scathing, sharp, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, tart
Words Related to sarcastic

brisk, cross, sharp-tongued, sour, sourish, spiky (also spikey), tartish

incisive, keen, poignant, trenchant

cynical, dry, ironic (also ironical), wry

facetious, flippant, tongue-in-cheek

acrimonious, bitter, resentful, vitriolic

harsh, rough, severe, stringent

abrupt, blunt, brusque (also brusk), concise, crisp, curt, gruff, pithy, snippety, snippy, succinct, terse

backhanded, insincere
Near Antonyms of sarcastic

amusing, droll, merry, playful, sportive, waggish

gentle, mild

bland

good-humored, good-natured

diplomatic, polite, smooth, suave, urbane

affable, cordial, genial, gracious, hospitable, sociable

Synonym Discussion of sarcastic

sarcastic, satiric, ironic, sardonic mean marked by bitterness and a power or will to cut or sting. sarcastic implies an intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting, or ridiculing.
    • a critic known for his sarcastic remarks
satiric implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation.
    • a satiric look at contemporary society
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
sardonic implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression.
    • surveyed the scene with a sardonic smile

Learn More about sarcastic

  1. See words that rhyme with sarcastic Dictionary: Definition of sarcastic Spanish Central: Translation of sarcastic Nglish: Translation of sarcastic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sarcastic for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up sarcastic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games