sarcasm

[ sahr-kaz-uhm ]

noun

1. harsh, cutting, or bitter derision, often using irony to point out the deficiencies or failings of someone or something:

   He resorts to sarcasm when he senses he’s losing an argument.

   Synonyms: bitterness, sardonicism, ridicule

2. a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark:

   a review full of sarcasms.

   Synonyms: jeer

sarcasm

/ ˈsɑːkæzəm /

noun

1. mocking, contemptuous, or ironic language intended to convey scorn or insult
2. the use or tone of such language

sarcasm

1. A form of irony in which apparent praise conceals another, scornful meaning. For example, a sarcastic remark directed at a person who consistently arrives fifteen minutes late for appointments might be, “Oh, you've arrived exactly on time!”

Other Words From

• su·per·sar·casm noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sarcasm¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Late Latin sarcasmus, from Greek sarkasmós, derivative of sarkázein “to rend (flesh), sneer”; sarco-

Word History and Origins

Origin of sarcasm¹

C16: from Late Latin sarcasmus, from Greek sarkasmos, from sarkazein to rend the flesh, from sarx flesh

Synonym Study

See irony ¹.

Example Sentences

I tried to be clever with the sarcasm.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump has repeatedly hurled critiques at former President Obama, when his real target seemed to be President Biden, misstatements he insisted were “sarcasm.”

From Los Angeles Times

As one senior insider put it to me, with a heavy dose of sarcasm, “at the end of the day, it’s always the BBC’s fault”.

From BBC

"The sarcasm and deliberate 'double standards' of the joke has gotten lost."

From BBC

Vance's event was small, mean, and yes, weird, featuring the unjustified sarcasm of the candidate and a desperate feeling reminiscent of the mood at a strip mall shot bar at 2 AM on "ladies' night."

From Salon

Related Words

• banter
• bitterness
• contempt
• cynicism
• derision
• irony
• mockery
• rancor
• ridicule
• satire
• scorn

More About Sarcasm

Where does the word sarcasm come from?

On the hit TV show Friends, the character Chandler Bing can never help himself from being sarcastic. But, maybe he would think twice if he knew the origins of the word sarcasm.

Sarcasm is defined as a “sneering or cutting remark.” Fittingly, the word sarcasm comes from the ancient Greek word sarkázein, which meant “to tear flesh.” That verb became a metaphor for “speaking bitterly.”

While we always hear that sticks and stones can’t break our bones, even the ancient Greeks recognized that sarcasm feels like someone is digging into you.

The roots of these other words may get a rise—of laughter or surprise—out of you. Run on over to our roundup of them at “Weird Word Origins That Will Make Your Family Laugh.”

Did you know … ?

Many other words derive from the same Greek root as sarcasm, including sarcophagus, a word which literally means “flesh-eating.” Discover the grisly reasons why at our Words That Use sarco- article

Generally speaking, sarcasm is a form of verbal irony, in which a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of the literal meaning. For this reason, many people sometimes take sarcastic comments at face value. This is especially true online, where it’s harder to convey tone and intention—despite all our emoji and emoticons. Due to the limitations of digital communication, some people will often end a sarcastic remark with “/sarcasm” or “/s” so they don’t get misinterpreted. Sarcasm is commonly used in many kinds of humor, from self-deprecation to satire.