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

Lou's valedictory has been acclaimed, without sarcasm, as baseball's Gettysburg Address.

From The Daily Beast

Friedman is acutely aware of the thin line between soap opera and sarcasm.

From The Daily Beast

A spectre is haunting the internet—the spectre of Open Sarcasm.

From The Daily Beast

But it is the quest of a father and son to invent a symbol for sarcasm that will live in infamy.

From The Daily Beast

The written word has question marks and exclamation points to document those thoughts, BUT sarcasm has NOTHING!

From The Daily Beast

A vein of shrewd and humorous sarcasm, together with an under-current of quiet selfishness, made him a very pleasant companion. '

From Project Gutenberg

He had often been floored by argument and coughed down by contempt, but he seemed alike insensible to sarcasm and to insult.

From Project Gutenberg

His manner disconcerts me; but the sarcasm of his words and the offensive tone rouse my resentment.

From Project Gutenberg

Avoid sarcasm; it will, unconsciously to yourself, degenerate into pertness, and often downright rudeness.

From Project Gutenberg

I see you were not, said the stranger, an expression of quiet sarcasm playing about his mouth, or you would have known my name.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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