variants or satirical

Synonym Chooser

How is the word satiric different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of satiric are ironic, sarcastic, and sardonic. While all these words mean "marked by bitterness and a power or will to cut or sting," satiric implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation.

a satiric look at contemporary society

When can ironic be used instead of satiric?

Although the words ironic and satiric have much in common, 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

When would sarcastic be a good substitute for satiric?

In some situations, the words sarcastic and satiric are roughly equivalent. However, sarcastic implies an intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting, or ridiculing.

a critic known for his sarcastic remarks

Where would sardonic be a reasonable alternative to satiric?

The meanings of sardonic and satiric largely overlap; however, sardonic implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression.

surveyed the scene with a sardonic smile

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 satiric Misery, a horror movie with a satiric streak, launched Bates’s film stardom. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025 The real star of the show, though, is not the satiric script or the campy performances, but rather how each character brings their own unique approach to dressing for the corporate ladder. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025 The tone, like the title, is satiric and pitch black. Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025 Gad originated the role of Elder Cunningham alongside Andrew Rannells' Elder Price in a satiric look at two young missionaries' misguided attempts to spread the gospel in a small Ugandan village. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for satiric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for satiric
Adjective
  • His father, observing his children’s unconventional career choices, eventually developed his own sarcastic advice for parents.
    Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • Idiotic rich boy Bertie Wooster gets himself into some kind of sticky situation with another rich idiot, and his quietly sarcastic, above-it-all, genius butler Jeeves inevitably gets him out of it.
    Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • As always, Danan’s voice is hysterically funny, her characters’ exhibiting a wry and biting sense of humor.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 19 May 2025
  • Fey’s writing usually has a reputation of being more on the biting or sardonic side, but The Four Seasons trades out the eye rolls for loving looks (mostly).
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • The group of inmates escaped by yanking open a faulty cell door, removing a toilet, crawling through a hole in the wall behind it and scaling a barbed wire fence in the early morning hours.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 June 2025
  • Louisiana Attorney General's Office via AP The group of inmates escaped by yanking open a faulty cell door, removing a toilet, crawling through a hole and scaling a barbed wire fence in the early morning hours when a lone guard left to get food.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has publicly stated that recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes inflicted serious damage on Iran's nuclear sites, a sharp contrast to the downplaying by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and one early U.S. intelligence assessment that was leaked to media.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
  • Its exterior is an awkward mashup of new and old ideas—the sharp roofline and giant windscreen give off the impression the car has been crushed—though its dual-color paint job and full-width headlights really work.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Satiric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/satiric. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on satiric

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