Thesaurus results for IRONY

Q: How does the noun 'irony' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of irony are humor , repartee , sarcasm , satire , and wit . While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed. // the irony of the title

Q: When can 'humor' be used instead of 'irony'?

While the synonyms humor and irony are close in meaning, humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness. // a sense of humor

Q: When is it sensible to use 'repartee' instead of 'irony'?

The words repartee and irony are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily. // a dinner guest noted for repartee

Q: Where would 'sarcasm' be a reasonable alternative to 'irony'?

The meanings of sarcasm and irony largely overlap; however, sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound. // given to heartless sarcasm

Q: When is 'satire' a more appropriate choice than 'irony'?

The synonyms satire and irony are sometimes interchangeable, but satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature. // a satire on the Congress

Q: When could 'wit' be used to replace 'irony'?

While in some cases nearly identical to irony , wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous. // a playful wit

irony

noun

Definition of irony

as in contradiction

a situation that is strange or funny because things happen in a way that seems to be the opposite of what is expected We got a good chuckle seeing their tow truck being towed away, but our friends failed to see the irony.

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How does the noun irony differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of irony are humor, repartee, sarcasm, satire, and wit. While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.

the irony of the title

When can humor be used instead of irony?

While the synonyms humor and irony are close in meaning, humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.

a sense of humor

When is it sensible to use repartee instead of irony?

The words repartee and irony are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

a dinner guest noted for repartee

Where would sarcasm be a reasonable alternative to irony?

The meanings of sarcasm and irony largely overlap; however, sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

given to heartless sarcasm

When is satire a more appropriate choice than irony?

The synonyms satire and irony are sometimes interchangeable, but satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.

a satire on the Congress

When could wit be used to replace irony?

While in some cases nearly identical to irony, wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

a playful wit

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 irony One dead roach with a sense of irony died in a first aid box on a kitchen wall. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 There’s a certain irony in oil making the business case for sustainability. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 There is some irony in this, given that LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 The irony of restrictions on BYD’s entry to the US is that the Atto 8 would totally appeal to American drivers. — New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for irony

Recent Examples of Synonyms for irony

Noun

Seen through this lens, rising demand for in-person connection amid the rapid expansion of technology is not a contradiction.

— Davis Noell, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
Young argues there’s really no contradiction between these models and the evidence his team collected in the field.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of contradiction

Noun

Of the Daise stick-on, Allure associate social media manager Katie Gunderman says her amusement with the accessory was short-lived.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 20 Oct. 2026
In IconArrows pointing outwards For an extra admission fee, the farm also offers amusement rides and carnival games.

— Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of amusement

Noun

However, Raman's fractured relationship with the DSA has become the defining paradox of her candidacy here in LA.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026
This is the paradox that Condorcet, a passionate believer in democracy, encountered in the late 18th century.

— Alex Stone, Quanta Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of paradox

Noun

The movie sanitizes the past and removes its tang, its pungency, leaving a craving for contact with nature, with raw experience, with incongruities and accidents and anything but what fits, in lieu of such synthetic sophistication.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2026
Both shows attempted to offer a perspective on authentic Italian style, with Milan's incongruities as an underlying theme.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of incongruity

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“Irony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irony. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of irony

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Synonyms of irony

noun

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Back to School Vocabulary

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on irony

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

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Popular in Grammar & Usage

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Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

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Popular

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Games & Quizzes