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
As Marvel moved into the world of media through cartoons and live action shows, his voice, likeness and persona became the glue that held Marvel’s story universes together and papered over shortcomings in early, cheap productions with wry humor.
—
Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Still, there’s amusement and electricity in their physicalities and wry antics.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 25 May 2026
Miller knelt down in the middle of it all with a wry look of contentment.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
The 63-year-old auteur, winner of the Cannes Palme d’Or in 2018 for Shoplifters, has made his indelible imprint on world cinema with delicate family drama, suffused with wry humor and wrenching humanism, far more so than futurism.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Still, there’s amusement and electricity in their physicalities and wry antics.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 25 May 2026
Miller knelt down in the middle of it all with a wry look of contentment.
—Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
The 63-year-old auteur, winner of the Cannes Palme d’Or in 2018 for Shoplifters, has made his indelible imprint on world cinema with delicate family drama, suffused with wry humor and wrenching humanism, far more so than futurism.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wry
Adjective
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Shah’s closest ally (and the person most willing to call Shah on his lies to himself and others) is his cousin Zulfi, a gigantic character who Khan energizes with fast-talking charm, sarcastic asides, and an assessing glare that can cut through anyone’s defenses.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
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Yet another compared the look to Van Gogh, while others were more than ready to take Bieber up on her presumably sarcastic offer to accept appointments.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
25 May 2026
Adjective
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Alternatively, if exercising within four hours of bedtime, opt for short-duration, light-to-moderate-intensity exercises, such as brisk walking, or slow jogging for 30 minutes.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
27 May 2026
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Given the brisk start then, is there still hope that the best is yet to come?—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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Cage had his arm smashed multiple times, Wheeler had a piece of his nose nearly taken off and barbed wire scraped the skin of each competitor.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2026
-
Homes and gardens sit behind protective walls and gates with barbed wire.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
This is cynical political theater.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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The overpowering moral authority of wronged women, #MeToo’s skeptics alleged, would allow cynical wrongdoers to weaponize claims of victimhood for their own gain.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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Netflix’s big comedy bet might be the Dan Levy–Rachel Sennott co-creation Big Mistakes; the biting, farcical series about adult siblings who get caught up in the drug business plays like Weeds crossed with The Other Two.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
2 May 2026
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The tracks are more vulnerable, biting, and self-aware than ever, and in some cases, feature lyrics pulled right out of Hjelt’s diary.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Those at the bar seemed interested in their drinks, while those at the tables seemed more keen on each other—or when their table at Daroco would be ready.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
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Hermeus's Quarterhorse aircraft is still pushing the supersonic flight envelope, but the US Department of Defense is already so keen on the concept that it's awarded the company US$159 million to explore the military applications of the technology.—
David Szondy
June 04,
New Atlas,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Turns out Porter voted over the weekend, in Newport Beach, which has a nice ironic ring to it, no?—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
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Those artists were ironic and aloof, treating advertising and mass-media imagery as expressions of a broader fug of celebrity and consumerism.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Analysts have noted that retail investors could be causing some of the weakness in chips by freeing up dry powder in preparation for the blockbuster IPO – though Bank of America noted that last week’s sell-off was driven by big institutional money.—
Tobias Burns,
CNBC,
10 June 2026
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In the confusion, Paula is able to subdue Sky by nailing his hand to the ground and then sprays Ashley in the face with the dry shampoo before fleeing the scene.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wry. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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