sarcastic

adjective

sär-ˈka-stik How to pronounce sarcastic (audio)
Definition of sarcasticnext
as in satiric
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings her sarcastic comments that my singing reminded her of the time her dog was sick

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sarcastic different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sarcastic are ironic, sardonic, and satiric. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use ironic instead of sarcastic?

In some situations, the words ironic and sarcastic are roughly equivalent. However, 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

When would sardonic be a good substitute for sarcastic?

The meanings of sardonic and sarcastic largely overlap; however, sardonic implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression.

surveyed the scene with a sardonic smile

In what contexts can satiric take the place of sarcastic?

While in some cases nearly identical to sarcastic, satiric implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation.

a satiric look at contemporary society

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 sarcastic Meanwhile, Rogen and Nanjiani manage to steal multiple scenes as the voices of the ladies’ cats Dio and GG, two sarcastic felines who are fed up with their burnout owners. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026 This was Perez Hilton, after all, a man who had earned fame in the mid-two-thousands for his salacious, sarcastic, and often sadistic coverage of celebrity suffering. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026 The gap between his sarcastic self and his performance of himself can be, for some, confounding. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026 In the present, Lara meets Mari, a sarcastic and blunt high school tomboy who competes as a boxer. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sarcastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sarcastic
  1. satiric
  2. acidic
  3. barbed
  4. acid
  5. sardonic
Adjective
  • The extremely soapy, enjoyably satirical true-life drama chronicles love, rampant betrayal and a brazen murder plot through three decades of the iconic Gucci fashion house.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Film is an art form that ranges from the broadly entertaining to the sharply satirical and controversial.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of satiric
Adjective
  • Thanks to its acidic nature, vinegar helps neutralize odor-causing compounds instead of covering them up.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
  • One day, Cole paged through an album whose acidic glues caused her particular anguish.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of acidic
Adjective
  • Up the other side of the ravine there is another fence, much like the first, but without the barbed wire.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Light tubes, chains, scaffolds, chairs and a barbed wire table all made an appearance.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of barbed
Adjective
  • The idea that these two would have a five-minute-or-less breakup conversation, then plop down on the couch and happily embark on an acid trip together, strains credulity a little, even for this bizarre, codependent friend group.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In a sequencer that resembled a large fridge, millions of short nucleic-acid fragments would be identified in the span of ten hours.
    — Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of acid
Adjective
  • It is loosely based on his 2000 memoir Kitchen Confidential, which revealed the raw chaos of restaurant kitchens in Bourdain's signature sardonic humor.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But Cheekface will still be here, filtering our depraved mutterings into sardonic bangers.
    — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of sardonic

Browse Nearby Words

sarcasms
sarcastic
sarcophagi
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Cite this Entry

“Sarcastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sarcastic. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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