WRY Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

wry

adjective

Definition of wry

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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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 wry There is just enough wry humor—think Shaun of the Dead—sprinkled throughout to keep things from getting too grim, often deriving from Bryan’s cluelessness and general lack of skills. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026 Their bond deepens with the wry neuroses and gradually dropped defenses of many a midlife romantic comedy, though Parkinson’s complicates matters in unusual, empathetically explored ways. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026 The festival has stoked best actor consideration for John Malkovich, whose wry turn in Wild Horse Nine has garnered abundant attention. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 6 Sep. 2026 Elaine May cut her teeth as an improvisational comedian alongside Mike Nichols before finding her wickedly sharp, wry writer’s voice and knack for directing in her debut film, A New Leaf (1971). — Air Mail, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wry

Adjective

Eidra pushes her tendency to get glib and sarcastic rather than risk being vulnerable and honest to its farthest limits.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
The interest has been driven largely by the brand's casual, sarcastic tone and active participation in online trends.

— Megan Sauer, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of sarcastic

Adjective

Palestinian activist Eid Hatlin said barbed wire in the yard was placed by settlers.

— Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, North Korea has been adding mines, barbed wire fences, tactical roads, anti-tank walls and other fortifications to what's already one of the world's most heavily armed borders.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of barbed

Adjective

Her version is louder and more biting, but never at the sacrifice of the track’s spirit.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
In 2022, Lee County’s Mosquito Control District decided to try aiming radiation at mosquitoes instead, specifically the biting, disease-carrying kind — Aedes aegypti.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of biting

Adjective

But whether in Frankfurt or, later, Weimar — where Soviet officials are as keen to canonize Thomas — this father and daughter aren’t simply driving through Germany but taking a tour across fascism’s long shadow, which still darkens the world.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The Cloudveil For those keen to stay in town, there’s no better, more central location than The Cloudveil, situated on Jackson’s historic Town Square.

— Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of keen

Adjective

Ethan then sued Denims for copyright infringement, which was ironic, as Ethan’s reaction videos set much of the precedent for what constitutes fair use on commentary YouTube.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2026
In 2007, a spooky — and ironic — recipe for peanut butter eyeballs was adapted and shared by Gale Gand, who got it from the American Association of Orthodontists.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026