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sarcastic

/sɑrˈkæstɪk/

/sɑˈkæstɪk/

Sarcastic humor mocks or ridicules, usually by saying the opposite of what is actually meant. The talent-show judge who rolls his eyes at your dancing, smirks, and says, "You ought to be on Broadway" is a sarcastic person.

Sarcastic comes from the Greek word sarkazhein, which literally means "tear the flesh." Maybe that's why we also refer to our talent-show judge's remark as "cutting." When someone's being sarcastic, sometimes it's the tone, facial expression, or body language that let you know — like when our talent-show judge says exaggeratedly, "Great job! I almost confused you for Pavarotti," as he gives you a thumbs-down.

Definitions of sarcastic
  1. adjective
    expressing or expressive of ridicule that wounds
    Synonyms:
    critical
    marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
    disrespectful
    exhibiting lack of respect; rude and discourteous
    barbed, biting, mordacious, nipping, pungent
    capable of wounding
    black, grim, mordant
    harshly ironic or sinister
    corrosive
    spitefully sarcastic
    sardonic
    disdainfully or ironically humorous; scornful and mocking
    satiric, satirical
    exposing human folly to ridicule
    saturnine
    bitter or scornful
    see moresee less
    Antonyms:
    unsarcastic
    not sarcastic
Pronunciation
US

/sɑrˈkæstɪk/

UK

/sɑˈkæstɪk/

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘sarcastic'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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