ironic

adjective

variants also ironical
Definition of ironicnext
as in acidic
marked by an often negative or mocking form of wit in which words are used to express something different to their literal meaning a book written in an ironic style an ironic sense of humor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ironic different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ironic are sarcastic, sardonic, and satiric. While all these words mean "marked by bitterness and a power or will to cut or sting," ironic implies an attempt to be amusing or provocative by saying usually the opposite of what is meant.

made the ironic observation that the government could always be trusted

When is sarcastic a more appropriate choice than ironic?

The meanings of sarcastic and ironic largely overlap; however, sarcastic implies an intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting, or ridiculing.

a critic known for his sarcastic remarks

When would sardonic be a good substitute for ironic?

The words sardonic and ironic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sardonic implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression.

surveyed the scene with a sardonic smile

When is it sensible to use satiric instead of ironic?

In some situations, the words satiric and ironic are roughly equivalent. However, satiric implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation.

a satiric look at contemporary society

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ironic Occasionally, there are moments that verge on ironic humor. —Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025 That is ironic because most of the biggest new drama hits of the last two seasons, CBS‘ Tracker and Matlock and ABC‘s High Potential, all originated as standalone pilots. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025 The concentration of risk at the federal level has some ironic results. —Roger Valdez, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 Funny without being ironic, and moving without being sentimental, Elliot never condescends to his characters or their situations. —Jeremy Fassler, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ironic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ironic
  1. acidic
  2. cynical
  3. acid
  4. wry
  5. poignant
  6. dry
  7. sarcastic
  8. satiric
Adjective
  • The site should have well-draining loose soil with a slightly acidic or neutral pH (6.0-7.0).
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Soil pH level: The pH level tells you how acidic your soil is.
    — BestReviews, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of acidic
Adjective
  • Some who do have a cynical view — asking what good was it for people to risk that bridge crossing for Black freedom when young Black people are killing one another in Selma today?
    — Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The cynical, trend-chasing marketing executive Maya (Kathryn Hahn, playing refreshingly against type) makes Matt look principled by contrast.
    — Judy Berman, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of cynical
Adjective
  • For the Abe Lincoln tomato, for example — a century-old, disease-resistant red slicer with rich, slightly acid flavor — there is seed from listers in California, Nebraska, Maine, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and New Jersey.
    — Margaret Roach, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Black dragons are the ultimate swamp monsters that shoot an acid breath attack.
    — Rob Wieland, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of acid
Adjective
  • The sense of incidence with which May ’68 plays out, far in the background, speaks to a film for which the political is of little importance, or at least one that reflects the political through wry non-confrontations.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
  • The dialogue is alternately wry and poetic, trafficking in a deadpan magical realism, involving its bustling cast of colorful characters in a circular story, with events revisited via shifting perspectives and time frames.
    — Jason Bailey, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Definition of wry
Adjective
  • His art is a record of memory, now rendered even more poignant in exile.
    — Omnia Saed, ARTnews.com, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The most poignant partnership will come from Ovi’s own wallet.
    — Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of poignant
Adjective
  • Hydrate mask for dry and thirsty hair: on sale for $11 Original price: $22 (Ulta) Sick of dry and brittle hair?
    — Christopher Murray, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2025
  • According to Meteorologist Doug Kahn, a strong low pressure system rotating in the northern Plains collided with warm, moist air from the Gulf, while on its backside, cold, dry air was being funneled down.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of dry
Adjective
  • While Lucie is warm, vivacious, and a ray of light that shines off the page, Aiden is a grumpy, reluctant romantic who hides behind sarcastic quips.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025
  • For instance, a sarcastic comment brushed off as a joke, or unspoken expectations that fuel resentment.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of sarcastic
Adjective
  • Misery, a horror movie with a satiric streak, launched Bates’s film stardom.
    — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The real star of the show, though, is not the satiric script or the campy performances, but rather how each character brings their own unique approach to dressing for the corporate ladder.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025
Definition of satiric

Browse Nearby Words

ironic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ironic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ironic. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on ironic

Nglish: Translation of ironic for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All