wry
18
7.5
- adjective
- /raɪ/
- "It's never been serious before, has it?" Staffa asked, a wry tone in his voice.
- wry humor
- wry smile
- wry sense
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Watch on YouTubeSo they watch this and they get this sort of wry look at the world, very cynical.
- So they watch this and they get this sort of wry look at the world, very cynical.
- The the sense of humor, the wry sense of humor that runs throughout that show is sensational.
Examples
-
"Hmmm, yes," Adam said, casting Peregrine a wry, I-told-you-so glance as he opened the pad.
Fiction book (1991) -
With a wry smile, she remarked, "I can always count on my luck to be terrible."
-
Looking back, she says, with a wry smile, "I was just grateful to be published."
Academic text (2009) -
Not jokes so much, more sort of wry, little observations.
-
A few of us even signal the mother with a sideways nod and a wry smile.
Academic text (2009) -
Keith is known among his colleagues as a thoughtful and deliberate man, with a wry sense of humor.
Academic text (2007) -
"Beginning to think all this new technology has some use?" Jayge gave a wry chuckle.
Fiction book (1991) -
Somewhat oversimplified, Adam agreed, with a wry half-smile, "but essentially correct, as far as it goes."
Fiction book (1991) -
"Yes, I'm feeling a heat," he said, with a wry grin as he waded toward her.
Fiction book (1990) -
Pitt would feel no unkindness, no criticism, but perhaps a gentle, wry sort of pity.
Fiction book (1993)
Synonyms
106
4.6
Quiet, calm humor that shows little emotion
95
4.0
Using words that say the opposite of what you mean to mock or hurt someone
85
3.8
Quick clever remarks that make people laugh
76
1.6
Funny in a way that makes people laugh
38
4.8
Saying the opposite of what you mean to be funny or mocking
34
7.9
Being rude in a clever, mocking way
14
6.4
Saying the opposite of what you mean to be funny or mocking
10
7.4
Said jokingly and not meant to be taken seriously
9
8.1
Showing mocking, bitter humor that makes fun of people
1
8.1
Saying quick clever remarks that are often funny and a little sarcastic
1
9.9
To say mocking or rude things to tease someone
Antonyms
Compounds
How Wry
Surface Forms
Etymology
Wry comes from an old idea of being 'twisted', like the action when you wring a towel. So a 'wry' smile looks a little twisted, and from that the word means dry, ironic, or gently mocking humor.