satirical

[ suh-tir-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, containing, or characterized by satire:

   satirical novels.

   Synonyms: acid, biting, mordant, cutting, ironical, sardonic

2. indulging in or given to satire:

   a satirical poet.

satirical

/ səˈtɪrɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or containing satire
2. given to the use of satire

Derived Forms

• saˈtirically, adverb
• saˈtiricalness, noun

Other Words From

• sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• sa·tir·i·cal·ness noun
• non·sa·tir·ic adjective
• non·sa·tir·i·cal adjective
• non·sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·sa·tir·i·cal·ness noun
• pseu·do·sa·tir·i·cal adjective
• pseu·do·sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• qua·si-sa·tir·i·cal adjective
• qua·si-sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• sem·i·sa·tir·ic adjective
• sem·i·sa·tir·i·cal adjective
• sem·i·sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• sub·sa·tir·ic adjective
• sub·sa·tir·i·cal adjective
• sub·sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• sub·sa·tir·i·cal·ness noun
• un·sa·tir·ic adjective
• un·sa·tir·i·cal adjective
• un·sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·sa·tir·i·cal·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of satirical¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Late Latin satiric(us) (from satir(a) satire + -icus -ic ) + -al ¹

Synonym Study

See cynical.

Example Sentences

The "very demure, very mindful" trend took off after that and the satirical idea pokes fun at the stereotypical ideas of femininity.

From BBC

In September, his preprint received an Ig Nobel Prize, a satirical award that promotes research that “makes people laugh, then think.”

From Science Magazine

Back then, the artist said he conceived of his work as a satirical jab at market speculation, asking the question, “On what basis does an object acquire value in the art system?”

From New York Times

“What I want to say to Mr. Wolf, if he reads this, is that his creative product has entertained me for hundreds of hours, And that comes through in a satirical nature.”

From Los Angeles Times

In reality, three cartoons published by a French satirical magazine had been discussed in class, and Paty had said anyone who felt they might be offended did not have to stay.

From BBC

Related Words

• biting
• caustic
• incisive
• mordant
• sarcastic
• sardonic
• satiric