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 Fortunately, Dusse lightens the lawyer’s spiral into his mobster client’s dark underworld with wry humor and pointed skewering of both the wellness industry and the criminal legal profession. — The Know, Denver Post, 5 July 2026 Co-created by Seinfeld and Larry David, the sitcom was a massive hit in the ’90s thanks to its wry dissection of social norms, and the talents of costars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026 Chocolate brings it home with a punch line—a wry observation to end the story with a laugh. — Joseph Trinidad, Longreads, 16 June 2026 Wright is a highly engaging writer with a wry wit, and The God Test is a pleasure to read. — Air Mail, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wry

Adjective

Another way to say this is that, in place of the extensive self-announcements Plato allows his characters, Rochester substitutes his own summary judgements, his sarcastic imitations.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
This is taken as evidence of his status, not a sarcastic criticism.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026

Definition of sarcastic

Adjective

Between Sandoval’s 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball and a stupendous collective effort by the Boston bullpen, the Red Sox completed a 2-1 victory and series sweep of the White Sox in a brisk two hours and 32 minutes.

— Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026
Weight-bearing activities — brisk walking, climbing stairs, dancing, strength training — signal to the body that the skeleton needs to stay dense and strong.

— Matthew T. Drake, Fortune, 9 July 2026

Definition of brisk

Adjective

The confrontation between father and daughter, in which Taylor-Joy unloads Lucky’s resentments about growing up in the life, is one of the season’s most barbed moments.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 2026
But his view of Adrian’s methods, goals, and way of life end up making the bond of mentorship both tenuous and barbed.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 July 2026

Definition of barbed

Adjective

To complete the drama, England finished with 13, Argentina with 15 when Henry Pollock was sent to the sin-bin over team infringements and Emmanuel Iyogun, on debut, for cynical offending.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Booked even earlier than Romero for a cynical foul, he was substituted partly out of fear of a second yellow in the 72nd minute.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of cynical

Adjective

The pacing is more frenetic, the narration more biting, the flashbacks more jarring, and the comedowns much harsher.

— Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026

Definition of biting

Adjective

It’s been understood for years that America’s adversaries and allies alike take a keen interest in how this country practices an imperfect democracy.

— Philip Elliott, Time, 17 July 2026
The youth ranks are being bolstered, too, with sporting director Ross Wilson keen to keep boosting the quality at the academy.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of keen

Adjective

Occasionally our wells run a little dry, and that’s our cue to go fill them up again with all kinds of beautiful things.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
The combination of extreme heat and dry conditions in Ontario and northern Minnesota led to significant spread of wildfires on July 13.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 16 July 2026