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
-
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 crimes with which she has been charged are trumped up and her arrest is a cynical ploy by the junta headed by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to cling onto power.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
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Is Alec’s folksiness sincere or cynical?—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 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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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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Some ironic anti-royalists wore golden paper crowns from Burger King, but the more sartorially, not to say lepidopterously, dedicated came dressed as orange-and-black butterflies, these being the only monarchs allowed in America.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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Her worldview turns ironic when a sudden global event, the source of which is depicted but not entirely explained, ushers in what basically amounts to world peace for almost everyone besides Carol.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Order the deluxe martini with gin or vodka, extra-dry vermouth, and olives or a twist; pair with truffle fries and the hearts of romaine Caesar, available on special request from the restaurant, all as classic as the setting itself.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
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Up to 16 inches of rainfall drenched the Hill Country area from July 3 to July 5, a landscape known for rapid, raging flooding in extreme rain boosted by moist gulf air moving over the dry, dusty hills.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wry. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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