as in sarcastic
marked by the use of clever and often dark humor
The writer had a wry wit that was something of an acquired taste.
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Recent Examples of wry
Tennis Channel again provided a wry graphic, this time showing that Watanuki’s topspin forehands increased from 77 mph on average to 80 mph post-Pepsi.
—
Ava Wallace, New York Times, 18 May 2026
The 63-year-old auteur, winner of the Cannes Palme d’Or in 2018 for Shoplifters, has made his indelible imprint on world cinema with delicate family drama, suffused with wry humor and wrenching humanism, far more so than futurism.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Marcellus is really, really smart, which Molina imparts via a wry and world-weary voiceover.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
As anachronisms constantly threaten to puncture the illusion, the cast stays wry, nimble and self-conscious in order to locate plot points and jokes that reinforce the golden-age radio setting, scribbling notes and introducing characters that propel them through ludicrous narrative arcs.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
Ava Wallace, New York Times, 18 May 2026
The 63-year-old auteur, winner of the Cannes Palme d’Or in 2018 for Shoplifters, has made his indelible imprint on world cinema with delicate family drama, suffused with wry humor and wrenching humanism, far more so than futurism.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Marcellus is really, really smart, which Molina imparts via a wry and world-weary voiceover.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
As anachronisms constantly threaten to puncture the illusion, the cast stays wry, nimble and self-conscious in order to locate plot points and jokes that reinforce the golden-age radio setting, scribbling notes and introducing characters that propel them through ludicrous narrative arcs.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wry
Adjective
-
Shah’s closest ally (and the person most willing to call Shah on his lies to himself and others) is his cousin Zulfi, a gigantic character who Khan energizes with fast-talking charm, sarcastic asides, and an assessing glare that can cut through anyone’s defenses.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
Yet another compared the look to Van Gogh, while others were more than ready to take Bieber up on her presumably sarcastic offer to accept appointments.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
Alternatively, if exercising within four hours of bedtime, opt for short-duration, light-to-moderate-intensity exercises, such as brisk walking, or slow jogging for 30 minutes.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
27 May 2026
-
Given the brisk start then, is there still hope that the best is yet to come?—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Cage had his arm smashed multiple times, Wheeler had a piece of his nose nearly taken off and barbed wire scraped the skin of each competitor.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2026
-
Homes and gardens sit behind protective walls and gates with barbed wire.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
To start the second half, Australia captain Henry Hutchison made a try-saving tackle on Tristan Leyds, who was then sin-binned for a cynical foul.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
-
His social commentary reflected disgust with the unfettered capitalism of the Gilded Age, and his cynical aphorisms became widely quoted.—
Peter Hessler,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Netflix’s big comedy bet might be the Dan Levy–Rachel Sennott co-creation Big Mistakes; the biting, farcical series about adult siblings who get caught up in the drug business plays like Weeds crossed with The Other Two.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
2 May 2026
-
The tracks are more vulnerable, biting, and self-aware than ever, and in some cases, feature lyrics pulled right out of Hjelt’s diary.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Those at the bar seemed interested in their drinks, while those at the tables seemed more keen on each other—or when their table at Daroco would be ready.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
Hermeus's Quarterhorse aircraft is still pushing the supersonic flight envelope, but the US Department of Defense is already so keen on the concept that it's awarded the company US$159 million to explore the military applications of the technology.—
David Szondy
June 04,
New Atlas,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Which means that Sula Mae Peace means Peace Peace, which is a kind of wonderful ironic doubling because this is not a peaceful clan of people.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
That’s an ironic bummer considering the stadium itself was a key reason Kansas City was awarded six games in the 48-nation competition.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
During these dry winter months, game viewing peaks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Once a major city on Rome’s ancient trade route, Jerash was buried and preserved by the dry climate for centuries until excavations began in 1925.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wry. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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