sarcasm
noun
Synonyms
- affront
- barb
- brickbat
- cut
- dart
- dig
- dis [slang]
- diss
- epithet
- gird
- indignity
- insult
- name
- offense
- offence
- outrage
- personality
- poke
- put-down
- slap
- slight
- slur
Example Sentences
David Peisner, Spin, August 2007 "The best part of being single," Bryce Donovan jokes, "is being able to choose any woman I want to shoot me down." Such self-deprecating sarcasm is the trademark of this newsman's four-year-old weekly column "It Beats Working" in the Charleston Post and Courier. People, 26 June 2006 "But see," I say … "in my line of work I'm supposed to dress in a way that makes clients feel sorry for me, or better yet superior to me. I think I accomplish that pretty well." Paul looks over at me again with a distasteful look that might be ready to slide into sarcasm, only he doesn't know if I'm making fun of him. He says nothing. Richard Ford, Independence Day, (1995) 1996 a voice full of sarcasm I know you're not happy, but there's no need to resort to petty sarcasms to make your point. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 One second too long can indicate sarcasm over thoughtfulness. Oliver Munday, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2022 Attacking a person’s style, motives, or creative suggestions typically comes wrapped in a humorous response; sarcasm seems to be a favorite dismissal barb. Womensmedia, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Foxx works through the tonal inconsistencies resulting from Bud’s dramatic backstory and Day Shift’s predilection for high jinks by deadpanning his jokes and leaning on sarcasm. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Aug. 2022 McKinnon is similarly inspired — her Lulu is a palpitating narcissist, all brain, who speaks in advanced sarcasm. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 26 July 2022 One was chaotic and constantly bickering: Natalie Lee, the mellow yet goofy consultant whose love language is sarcasm, and Shayne Jansen, an extremely energetic real estate agent/notebook scribbler who covets validation. Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2022 One of them appears every now and then, with advice or commentary, usually delivered with a slice of sarcasm. Beth Thames | Bethmthames@gmail.com, al, 17 Aug. 2022 More often, his humor is manifested through droll sarcasm. Eric Walden, The Salt Lake Tribune, 6 July 2022 See More Word History
earlier sarcasmus, borrowed from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French sarcasme, borrowed from Late Latin sarcasmos "mockery," borrowed from Late Greek sarkasmós, from Greek sarkázein "to jeer at while biting the lips" (in galen; perhaps, if the original sense was "to bite or strip off flesh," derivative of sark-, sárx "flesh") + -smos, suffix of verbal action — more at sarco-
Note: The original sense of the Greek verb sarkázein is conjectural, as all instances referring to jeering or mockery come from late or post-classical sources, generally lexica. The sole significant early uses are in Aristophanes' play Peace, where the Megarians, while pulling boulders from the entrance to a cave, are described as performing the action of the verb sarkázein "like mean (?) curs," while perishing from hunger ("hoi Megarês … hélkousin d' hómōs glischrótata sarkázontes hṓsper kynídia"); and in the Hippocratic treatise "On Joints" (Perì Arthrôn), where the verb is used to describe hoofed animals eating grass. In both cases the interpretation of sarkázein is far from transparent.
1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
sarcasm
noun
sarcasm
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- insult
- offence
- outrage
- barb
- slight
- indignity
- offense
- epithet
- affront
- slap
- slur
- personality
- dart
- name
- put-down
- criticism
- attack
- brickbat
- sneer
- diss
- poke
- dis
- invective
- jibe
- dig
- disgrace
- taunt
- vituperation
- quip
- abuse
- gibe
- disapproval
- shame
- gird
- mock
- cut
- jeer
- opprobrium
- swipe
- catcall
- torture
- dishonor
- knock
- torment
- slam
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- compliment
- praise
- applause
- commendation
- flattery
- acclaim
- accolade
- adulation
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of sarcasm are humor, irony, repartee, satire, and wit. While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.
The words humor and sarcasm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.
While in some cases nearly identical to sarcasm, irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.
While the synonyms repartee and sarcasm are close in meaning, repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.
In some situations, the words satire and sarcasm are roughly equivalent. However, satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.
The meanings of wit and sarcasm largely overlap; however, wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.