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
But the same dry, wry, demented wit, as well as the pitiless looks at one of the rare species on Earth that walks on two legs and frets about their lattes being too hot, are present and accounted for.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
This tender, wry and thought-provoking story offers a different perspective on looking for love, regret and the ‘what if’ of it all.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
In a witty and wry artisanal classic, an American team aims to claim the top prize at the Mondial du Fromage cheesemongering competition in France.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for wry
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
This tender, wry and thought-provoking story offers a different perspective on looking for love, regret and the ‘what if’ of it all.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
In a witty and wry artisanal classic, an American team aims to claim the top prize at the Mondial du Fromage cheesemongering competition in France.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for wry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wry
Adjective
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The Marriage Story star first appeared as a child in an uncredited role in the Scorsese film — Ladd's first taste of major acclaim as the sarcastic waitress Flo.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Nov. 2025
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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
Adjective
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The company’s brisk activity shows no signs of slowing.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
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Trick-or-treaters can expect brisk but dry weather.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Chinese reports stated that the attack-type wolf robots cleared barbed wire and trenches in three to five minutes, while the transport variants followed closely behind.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
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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
Adjective
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The shootout in the finale felt ripped from another (lesser) series, Sarah Catherine Hook’s monologue as Piper, now wanting to wash Thailand off her, just a bit of a pat cheat (and a more cynical White on display).—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
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Yes, our political leaders have given some of us reason to be resentful, cynical and even depressed.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Morbidly Jewish finds Raanan at his most biting, acerbic, angry, Jewish, and, as always…loud.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
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The conservative activist’s 42-minute video posted the day after Christmas quickly spread, prompting stepped up immigration enforcement, frozen federal funds and more biting rhetoric against the Somali community from President Donald Trump.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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His keen playful writing combines magical realism, genre-busting humor, literary zip—and there are few people better suited to adapting Wilder than Ethan Lipton.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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Zoo Miami also boasts Ron Magill, whose Walk on the Wild events featuring educational segments, animal encounters and keen eye for photography continue to draw audiences.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Now, in an ironic twist of a slasher’s blade, Miska returning to the internet horror field, this time as the owner of Bloody Disgusting’s chief competitor, Dread Central.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Jan. 2026
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The memes, commentary, and speculation became a culture unto itself, a loop of ironic posting, information warring, and commentary on commentary—all before his shooter was identified or Kirk was even pronounced dead.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Friday starts out warm and dry, possibly some early sunshine, and a chance to hit 60, depending on when showers arrive.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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The video, narrated with dry sarcasm and visible exhaustion, quickly went viral.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wry. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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