as in sarcastic
marked by the use of clever and often dark humor
The writer had a wry wit that was something of an acquired taste.
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Recent Examples of wry
From time to time over the years, polls and pollsters have piqued the wit and wry humor of many cartoonists.
—
W. Joseph Campbell, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
But though there are wry laughs to be had, from the exquisite awkwardness of the setup alone, Babygirl was received by many as a comedy, which trivializes the extraordinary atmosphere that Reijn creates.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2024
Though the subject matter is serious, the execution is wry, especially when Martin’s mother Linda (Lisa Kudrow, sharply hilarious) chimes in.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2024
Through a Zoom screen, King radiates compassion and attunement, and Faber is wry and delightfully discursive; both seem like the mom whose house everybody would hang out at after school.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for wry
W. Joseph Campbell, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
But though there are wry laughs to be had, from the exquisite awkwardness of the setup alone, Babygirl was received by many as a comedy, which trivializes the extraordinary atmosphere that Reijn creates.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2024
Though the subject matter is serious, the execution is wry, especially when Martin’s mother Linda (Lisa Kudrow, sharply hilarious) chimes in.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2024
Through a Zoom screen, King radiates compassion and attunement, and Faber is wry and delightfully discursive; both seem like the mom whose house everybody would hang out at after school.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for wry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wry
Adjective
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Always down to gossip and party, Redmond exudes Gemini's energy through his zesty and sarcastic attitude.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
This is not just a sarcastic take but a practical one.—
Jaron Lanier,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Warhol is a brisk dip in self-deprecating self-examination.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Monday’s weather for the A’s first home game was unseasonably cool with rain earlier in the day and game-time temperature a brisk 52 degrees with some light wind.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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They are usually laid out in vast fields ahead of defensive positions, marked with barbed wire and warning signs Such minefields slow down or halt an enemy assault.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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An enemy then grabs the barbed wire with his bare hands — which already sounds like a bad idea, btw — only for the wire to shock him backward.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Val did something special with a typical 1980s cynical rebel/wisecracker role, giving his character a layer of big brother warmth.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
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On the movie front, Viola Davis is an endangered POTUS in G20, Tom Hardy plays a cynical detective in Havoc, and documentary subjects include the Stranger Things stage production, the Milwaukee Brewers’ 1982 season and the Disney cult classic A Goofy Movie.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Many of his biting posts have gone viral, drawing thousands of shares and millions of views.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
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The criticism from Barney Ronay at The Guardian was even more biting.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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At the time, Jase said his father was keen to return to work.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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She’s been especially keen on animal print, from her leopard tote bag to her zebra Fendi backpack.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The mood is a mix of ironic and sincere in equal measure, with plenty of pastiche and a heavy appreciation for the profundity of cultural detritus.—
Savannah Sobrevilla,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
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Despite her difficult childhood, Mavis persevered, through grit, bloody-mindedness, an absence of self-pity, and an ironic sense of humor.—
Margaret Atwood,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The natural sugars in dry fruits may ferment in the gut, leading to gas and discomfort.—
Faye Remedios,
Glamour,
9 Apr. 2025
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Gentle moisturizers: Your skin might feel dry, tight, and flaky, especially when the rash starts to scab.—
Alisa Hrustic,
SELF,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wry. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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