sarcastic

Sometimes sar·cas·ti·cal

[sahr-kas-tik]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by sarcasm.

   a sarcastic reply.

2. using or given to the use of sarcasm.

   His business failures made him sarcastic about other people's ventures.

   Synonyms: sardonic, ironic, derisive, bitter, mordant, cutting, biting

sarcastic

/ sɑːˈkæstɪk /

adjective

1. characterized by sarcasm

2. given to the use of sarcasm

Other Word Forms

• sarcastically adverb
• sarcasticness noun
• sarcasticalness noun
• quasi-sarcastic adjective
• quasi-sarcastically adverb
• supersarcastic adjective
• supersarcastically adverb
• unsarcastic adjective
• unsarcastical adjective
• unsarcastically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sarcastic¹

First recorded in 1685–95; sarc(asm) + -astic, on the model of enthusiasm ( def. ): enthusiastic ( def. ); -ic ( def. )

Synonym Study

See cynical.

Example Sentences

The audience can decide where that zinger lands on the spectrum between sincere and sarcastic.

From Los Angeles Times

Aye, right - A sarcastic phrase - used ironically to express contempt or incredulity.

From BBC

When she posted a picture with her husband and baby, she got flooded with sarcastic comments like "Look at the baby with his grandpa" and "gold digger."

From Salon

Ms Geraedts believes rarebit became popular due to Wales' connection to cheese-making, despite its name being a sarcastic "patronising" English joke.

From BBC

When you make a sarcastic joke to a new friend, observe their nonverbal cues, says Bonfil.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acerbic 
• acid 
• arrogant 
• biting 
• bitter 
• brusque 
• caustic 
• derisive 
• disparaging 
• disrespectful 
• mordant 
• sardonic 
• satirical 
• saucy 
• trenchant