sardonically

Examples

• All

• The man smiled sardonically, as if he found Jack naive and amusing.

  Fiction book (1990)

• "Yes," she replied sardonically as she, too, stood up.

  Fiction book (1990)

• "Do you see if I live out the day after I do that?" he asked sardonically.

  Fiction book (1991)

• "Well," Robert observed sardonically, "it looks like at least two of the family are glad to see you."

  Fiction book (1990)

• "Took your time," he said sardonically, not missing a beat in his silent practice.

  Fiction book (1990)

• "I presume you had some reason for this visit," he said sardonically.

  Fiction book (1991)

• "A hundred times, perhaps more," the Egyptian said, his mouth tipping sardonically.

  Fiction book (1998)

• "An old cove like you shouldn't be so feisty," Titus observed sardonically.

  Fiction book (2001)

• "I just love waiting in long lines," she said sardonically as she glanced at the clock.

• "Oh great, another traffic jam," he remarked sardonically while stuck in his car.

Synonyms

I

ironically

vssardonically

213 5.5

In a way that shows the opposite of what you mean or expect

introduces more bitterness and mocking intent than simple irony

S

sarcastically

vssardonically

20 4.4

In a way that says the opposite to show you do not mean it

is similarly mocking but more bitter and cutting in tone

D

dryly

vssardonically

18 6.1

In a calm, serious way that seems slightly funny

adds colder mockery and more biting sarcasm than that manner

T

tongue-in-cheek

vssardonically

• Informal

15 7.4

Said jokingly and not meant to be taken seriously

is more cutting and bitter rather than playful or insincere

W

wryly

vssardonically

12 7.0

In a dry, slightly mocking way

is darker and more bitter in its mockery than that subtle tone

M

mockingly

vssardonically

9 5.6

In a way that makes fun of someone to show you do not respect them

adds harsher, more ironic bitterness to that ridicule

D

derisively

vssardonically

• Offensive

6 7.3

In a mocking way that shows you think someone is foolish

adds ironic bitterness and sharper sarcasm to that ridicule

D

drily

vssardonically

1 7.2

In a quiet, serious way that shows you are joking or being sarcastic

is sharper and more openly bitter than that understated style

S

satirically

vssardonically

• Literature

1 6.4

In a way that uses humor and irony to make fun of faults or bad ideas

is narrower, adding personal bitter sarcasm rather than broad critique

S

sneeringly

vssardonically

1 8.1

In a way that shows you do not respect someone or something

keeps the contempt but is more verbally bitter and ironic

A

acidly

vssardonically

1 5.1

In a sharp, rude way that shows sarcasm

adds pointed mockery and colder irony to that harshness

M

mordantly

vssardonically

• Formal

1 8.8

In a sharp, often cruel way that can hurt people when joking or criticizing

is equally biting but adds colder, more mocking irony

A

acerbically

vssardonically

1 8.1

In a sharp, hurtful way when criticizing someone

is similarly harsh but uses more mocking irony

C

caustically

vssardonically

1 8.2

In a sharply critical way that can hurt someone's feelings

is comparably severe but leans more toward bitter mockery

M

mordaciously

vssardonically

• Formal

9.9

In a very sharp and hurtful way that criticizes others

is similarly biting but focuses more on bitter mockery

Antonyms

S

sincerely

152 1.0

In a way that shows true feelings without pretending

How Sarcastic

scathingly

1 7.9

bitingly

1 7.4

sardonically

2 8.4

sarcastically

20 4.4

ironically

213 5.5

wryly

12 7.0

dryly

18 6.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology