Definition for sardonic

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sardonic. Send us feedback about these examples.

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words. He has a knack for combining the spiritual and sincere with the sardonic and self-deprecating. Depending on the part, he can give gravitas, sardonic wit, boyish twinkly humor, or a combination of the three. Matchless English style, very funny in parts, wonderfully sardonic , yet sympathetic observation of the chaos of war.

Definition for sardonic

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How is the word sardonic different from other adjectives like it? Some common synonyms of sardonic are ironic , sarcastic , and satiric. While all these words mean "marked by bitterness and a power or will to cut or sting," sardonic implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression. The words ironic and sardonic can be used in similar contexts, but ironic implies an attempt to be amusing or provocative by saying usually the opposite of what is meant. Where would sarcastic be a reasonable alternative to sardonic? The synonyms sarcastic and sardonic are sometimes interchangeable, but sarcastic implies an intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting, or ridiculing. Although the words satiric and sardonic have much in common, satiric implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation.

While sardonic comments seem slightly hostile, they are supposed to be witty and humorous rather than deeply hurtful. I did not attend the funeral, but I sent a letter saying I approved of it. Mark Twain. Mark Twain was famous for his sardonic comments. I can hear you. I just wanted to make sure you could hear you. Colleen Donaghy is a good example of sardonicism on TV.

Definition for sardonic

Words related to sardonic are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word sardonic. Browse related words to learn more about word associations. Depending on the part, he can give gravitas, sardonic wit, boyish twinkly humor, or a combination of the three. Matchless English style, very funny in parts, wonderfully sardonic, yet sympathetic observation of the chaos of war. Ebert was celebrated for the sardonic wit and democratic writing style he employed in his reviews. Alan Arkin also provides an award-worthy turn as Lester Siegel, a sardonic, over-the-hill movie mogul who helps in the mission. Just smiled, a sardonic sort of grimace, and unbuckled his belt and handed it over without a word. Then the frown was smoothed away; a sardonic smile replaced it; another cup of wine he poured himself. Countless dogs fought under the feet of passers-by, and over all leered the sardonic face of Jean Bart, pirate and privateer.

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Translations Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. Both the concept and the etymology of the word, while being of uncertain origin, appear to stem from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. Read More. His mother had to have surgery. See pronunciation. Citation details. Learner's Dictionary: sardonic Collins English Dictionary: sardonic American English Dictionary 1 : sardonic American English Dictionary 2 : sardonic Example sentences for sardonic Collocations containing sardonic Word usage trends Translations of sardonic. Thesaurus Entries Near sardonic. The Ngrams data has been cross-checked against frequency measures from other corpora, and re-analysed in order to handle homographs and other ambiguities. Spanish English to Spanish. English—Norwegian Norwegian—English. Copy Citation. Look up sardonic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. When should you open up or close down the board with your Scrabble move?

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

Translations of sardonic in Chinese Traditional. Show data table Decade Frequency per million words 0. The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English. Collins API. English—Spanish Spanish—English. Word Lists. Martin's Summer Rafael Sabatini. Matchless English style, very funny in parts, wonderfully sardonic , yet sympathetic observation of the chaos of war. Collins English Dictionary. Both the concept and the etymology of the word, while being of uncertain origin, appear to stem from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. More from Merriam-Webster on sardonic.