SARCASTIC Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sarcastic

adjective

sär-ˈka-stik

Definition of sarcastic

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

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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 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 The other sarcastic superhero-ed character that makes a few cameos in the film has their own connection to Spider-Man – again, centered on loneliness and eventually learning to open up from their own recent film. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 28 July 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

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

That’s because acidic foods such as tomatoes and oranges may react with aluminum foil, causing a metallic taste or slight discoloration, but don’t worry.

— Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026
If the pH gets too acidic, nitrogen uptake is greatly reduced, leading to a deficiency in the plant, even if there’s plenty of nitrogen in the potting soil.

— Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of acidic

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

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“Sarcastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sarcastic. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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