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 Onion, a satirical news site that satirizes current affairs and the journalists who cover it, said on Thursday that it had won the bankruptcy auction to control Infowars and other media outlets founded by Alex Jones, a far-right peddler of conspiracy theories.

From Salon

Satirical news publication The Onion has bought Infowars, the media organisation headed by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, for an undisclosed price at a court-ordered auction.

From BBC

She gave him hundreds of thousands of dollars, and then, after her death, her Colcom Foundation, named after the bleak and satirical novel “Cold Comfort Farm,” continued to donate to Tanton’s organizations — more than $150 million.

From Salon

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

Satirical news programs like “The Daily Show” and “Last Week Tonight” have highlighted the ups and downs of the presidential election, while garnering laughs and skewering the candidates.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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