sardonic

adjective

sar·​don·​ic sär-ˈdä-nik How to pronounce sardonic (audio)
Synonyms of sardonic
: showing disrespect or scorn for someone or something : disdainfully or skeptically humorous : derisively mocking
a sardonic comment
a sardonic little jab that made her visitor quiet and subdued for the rest of the night
"The Great War," used interchangeably with "the First World War" (so named in 1918 by a sardonic English journalist, who knew it would not be the last such conflict) …—Benjamin Schwarz
They have that brand of sardonic humor special to people up against it: black and wry and shocking …—Doris Lessing
The result is a noir-ish but meditative spy novel about greed, morals and climate change; its short chapters propel the action with a healthy dose of sardonic humor.—Stuart Miller
Her work lacks the cynicism of more sardonic writers, like Stephen Malkmus or Frank Black. Instead, she's witty and confiding.—Amanda Petrusich
sardonically
sär-ˈdä-ni-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce sardonic (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of sardonic

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sarcastic, satiric, ironic, sardonic mean marked by bitterness and a power or will to cut or sting.

sarcastic implies an intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting, or ridiculing.

a critic known for his sarcastic remarks

satiric implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation.

a satiric look at contemporary society

ironic implies an attempt to be amusing or provocative by saying usually the opposite of what is meant.

made the ironic observation that the government could always be trusted

sardonic implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression.

surveyed the scene with a sardonic smile

Examples of sardonic in a Sentence

"The Great War," used interchangeably with "the First World War" (so named in 1918 by a sardonic English journalist, who knew it would not be the last such conflict) … —Benjamin Schwarz, Atlantic, May 1999
They have that brand of sardonic humor special to people up against it: black and wry and shocking … —Doris Lessing, New Yorker, 16 Mar. 1987
In a story by Flaubert, this spreading of cloths to save the carpet would be observed with a sardonic eye; in Lawrence it is bleakly practical. —Hugh Kenner, A Sinking Island, 1987
The movie is a sardonic look at modern life. a sardonic little jab that made her visitor quiet and subdued for the rest of the night
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Where Thomas is aloof and proud, Erika is prickly and sardonic, excellent tools for protecting a surprisingly fragile heart. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Those are just two of the many fun facts the sardonic rock star shared in his chat with Dimoldenberg, which also spanned Oasis’ massive stadium tour in 2025 and the band’s plans to embark on another trek next year. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026 Watch On In this Canadian cult classic that doubles as a coming-of-age story, a sardonic goth transforms into a werewolf in the days leading up to Halloween and terrifies her younger sister. — David Faris, TheWeek, 22 Oct. 2026 To the show’s credit, this Ultron is a highly entertaining creation, allowing Spader to layer some of his signature sardonic air to a character who’s still cynical, but much humbled from his supervillain days. — Alison Herman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sardonic

Word History

Etymology

re-formation, with the suffix -ic entry 1, of earlier sardonian, from Greek sardónios, alteration (after Sardónios "Sardinian") of earlier sardánios "(of laughter or smiling) bitter, scornful" (of obscure origin) + -an entry 2

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sardonic was in 1638

Rhymes for sardonic

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Browse Nearby Words

sardonian
sardonic
sardonic grin
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Cite this Entry

“Sardonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sardonic. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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