sarcasm

noun

ˈsär-ˌka-zəm How to pronounce sarcasm (audio)
Definition of sarcasmnext
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings I know you're not happy, but there's no need to resort to petty sarcasms to make your point

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun sarcasm differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sarcasm are humor, irony, repartee, satire, and wit. While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

given to heartless sarcasm

When might humor be a better fit than sarcasm?

The words humor and sarcasm are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.

a sense of humor

When can irony be used instead of sarcasm?

While in some cases nearly identical to sarcasm, irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.

the irony of the title

In what contexts can repartee take the place of sarcasm?

While the synonyms repartee and sarcasm are close in meaning, repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

a dinner guest noted for repartee

When is satire a more appropriate choice than sarcasm?

In some situations, the words satire and sarcasm are roughly equivalent. However, satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.

a satire on the Congress

When would wit be a good substitute for sarcasm?

The meanings of wit and sarcasm largely overlap; however, wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

a playful wit

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 sarcasm At a dinner party in Cairo, the Egyptian capital, a guest speaks with dark sarcasm of the singular achievements of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas mastermind behind the horrendous Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the current conflagration (an Israeli drone killed Sinwar a year later). —Max Rodenbeck, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025 Existing on cable news, hosting a celebrity-free show devoted to hot-button issues and cracking jokes with a withering sarcasm where his competitors are sunny or loopy, Gutfeld is an unlikely king of late night. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025 And that’s another important distinction from House where the empathy on House was much more buried under layers and layers of sarcasm. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2025 His edgy humor contains fewer insults and more sarcasm. —Matthew Continetti, National Review, 18 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sarcasm

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Cite this Entry

“Sarcasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sarcasm. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sarcasm

Nglish: Translation of sarcasm for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sarcasm

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