as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
a sardonic little jab that made her visitor quiet and subdued for the rest of the night
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sardonic
Demna, the sardonic designer who left Balenciaga for Gucci last year, chose New York as the destination for his first cruise show for the Italian behemoth and his second-ever runway show for the brand.
—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
17 May 2026
The sardonic tone makes this Booker shortlist nominee an absorbing read.
—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
17 May 2026
The sardonic clip sees Ford reluctantly trade in his signature leather jacket for a kilt and valiantly plug Glenmorangie while standing atop a hill.
—
Marissa G. Muller,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Both Angela Ingersoll, who played the ever-hopeful Sally, and Michelle Duffy, as the cynical realist Phyllis, pulsed with vivacious energy, playing across from Rapp’s sardonic take on wound-tight Ben and Wallem’s deeply sad exploration of Buddy.
—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sardonic
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
17 May 2026
The sardonic tone makes this Booker shortlist nominee an absorbing read.
—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
17 May 2026
The sardonic clip sees Ford reluctantly trade in his signature leather jacket for a kilt and valiantly plug Glenmorangie while standing atop a hill.
—
Marissa G. Muller,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Both Angela Ingersoll, who played the ever-hopeful Sally, and Michelle Duffy, as the cynical realist Phyllis, pulsed with vivacious energy, playing across from Rapp’s sardonic take on wound-tight Ben and Wallem’s deeply sad exploration of Buddy.
—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sardonic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sardonic
Adjective
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This is taken as evidence of his status, not a sarcastic criticism.
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On Monday night, Contreras was ejected in the second inning after a check-swing strikeout prompted him to give a sarcastic ABS challenge gesture at the umpire, earning an instant boot.
Adjective
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The script for the video was written by Casale and his longtime friend Max Papeschi, an Italian satirical artist.
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Staff members of the satirical magazine Leman are on trial on charges of inciting hatred over a cartoon published last year that features the Prophet Mohammed and Moses.
Adjective
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The fence, as constructed, is more than 8 feet tall and is topped with a strand of barbed wire — too high for many animals to jump and dangerous for those that attempt to do so.
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Vines have grown through the fence and barbed wire surrounding a tall art deco building in this city’s downtown, and cigarette holders and empty food tins litter the tall weeds.
Adjective
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Avocado, tomatillos, a serrano pepper, and lime are mixed together in just five minutes to make a bright and acidic dip that's served best with your favorite tortilla chips.
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It’s absorbed without needing food or a highly acidic environment.
Cite this Entry
“Sardonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sardonic. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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