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

The ‘Friends’ actor, who died Saturday at 54, was a ninja of sarcasm — and his peerless blend of resilience and vulnerability made him a star we could all root for.

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

Feigning exasperation, he said he had to explain to his wife that he had been joking — that he was imitating Biden but that “the fake news” was distorting his 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

Related Words

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