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
No one is better built than Leavy, a crafty veteran sportswriter, for between-innings repartee, wry asides, and tossed-off ideas for improving her beloved sport—and maybe even keeping its ever-looming obsolescence at bay for another decade or three.
—
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Instead Kidman was wry, rueful, unsure of herself.
—Wendell Steavenson, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
Fortunately, the film found an adoring audience that connected with its depiction of bisexuality, its wry post-9/11 humor, and its themes of female friendship.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
Leto gives him a Zen countenance and a wry observational mode to contrast his formidable fight skills.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wry
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Instead Kidman was wry, rueful, unsure of herself.
—Wendell Steavenson, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
Fortunately, the film found an adoring audience that connected with its depiction of bisexuality, its wry post-9/11 humor, and its themes of female friendship.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
Leto gives him a Zen countenance and a wry observational mode to contrast his formidable fight skills.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wry
Adjective
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The kicking game was so bad that Freeman sounded like Brian Kelly at his sarcastic best when asked about Noah Burnette, Erik Schmidt and Marcello Diomede combining to miss two extra points and one field goal.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Reactions to the freestyle depended on whether or not you were tuned into its sarcastic frequency.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Then, on the other five days, add some spontaneous brisk walking.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Oct. 2025
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Francella shape-shifts in the film from international film director to street dollar-seller to billionaire, the portraits interlacing into a brisk mosaic of contemporary Argentina.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In the yard, decorations include nooses, hanging bodies, guards in towers and barbed wire fences.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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The actress is clearly relishing the opportunity to deliver Aaron Sorkin’s barbed dialogue (though perhaps not as much as Philip Seymour Hoffman, who steals the show as an explosive CIA functionary).—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Their sister Cynthia has a somewhat more cynical attitude, and the priceless body language that goes with it.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
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Some complain that the boisterous, anthemic version on the album belies the cynical point of view of a Vietnam veteran.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But usually the administration official doesn’t fight back in such a biting way.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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Over nearly three decades, Baumbach has built a career chronicling families in crisis and artists at the crossroads, his films combining biting wit with an unflinching emotional honesty.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Though much of the language around clean fashion is aimed at the health of the consumer, experts are keen to stress that benefits for those working in the supply chain should be considered, too.—
Sophie Benson,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
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Blending the two forms requires a keen eye for visuals and an uncanny sense of the surreal.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Pluribus is as dry, ironic, brutal, and alert to the horrors festering in no small number of human souls as anything he’s made.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
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Just down the street from the colossal blue Scientology center (one of LA’s top locations for taking an ironic selfie) is Found Oyster, a delightful and perennially (pleasantly) crowded seafood restaurant inspired by clam shacks on the East Coast.—
Jocelyn Silver,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Dry the countertops with a clean, dry cloth to prevent water spots.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
29 Oct. 2025
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Buff the area with a clean, dry cloth to finish.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wry. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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