wry
bitterly or disdainfully ironic or amusing: a wry remark.
produced by a distortion or lopsidedness of the facial features: a wry grin.
Origin of wry
1Other words for wry
Opposites for wry
Other words from wry
- wry·ly, adverb
- wry·ness, noun
Words Nearby wry
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use wry in a sentence
Richardson took wry pleasure in observing the effect on her social life of her appointment as chief tax collector.
Margaret Richardson, IRS commissioner during Clinton’s first term, dies at 78 | Adam Bernstein | July 13, 2021 | Washington PostThe man in these posts comes across as a devoted dad and husband with a wry sense of humor, who likes fishing, grilling and secretly watching The Golden Girls.
Inside One Combat Vet's Journey From Defending His Country to Storming the Capitol | W.J. Hennigan/Washington | July 9, 2021 | TimeShe’s maintained a wry humor through all the heartbreaking cases.
With 12 men exonerated, the force behind Maryland’s Innocence Project hangs it up | Tim Prudente | June 3, 2021 | Washington PostTheir job, he said with a wry smile, was to give away money, and they should be getting down on their hands and knees to thank you for giving them the opportunity to support something important.
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities: The Bountiful Life of Vartan Gregorian | Richard Stengel | April 18, 2021 | TimeWhen he does appear, he dispenses irony with the wry observational voice of an immortal.
Leigh Bardugo’s ‘Rule of Wolves’ is the latest action-packed installment in the Grishaverse saga | Ellen Morton | April 8, 2021 | Washington Post
Making sense of her life on the page, deploying raw emotion alongside humor and wry mischief, has long been a Bechdel pursuit.
The quick-cut trailer suggests a soft-core romp with dramatic intrigue and wry one-liners.
French Political Sex Movie About DSK Sets Cannes Aquiver | Tracy McNicoll | May 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI looked at parts of it," he says, adding with wry self-deprecation, "I didn't see much benefit in comparing myself to Marlon.
New York’s Greatest Show Or How They Did Not Screw Up ‘Guys and Dolls’ | Ross Wetzsteon | April 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHer wry, progressive grandmother Oleanna Redwyne (Diana Rigg)—the real power behind the House Tyrell.
Will Season 4 Make ‘Game of Thrones’ the Best Fantasy Show Ever? | Andrew Romano | April 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut Beard was, as Beard would have put it, "wry," which is the word people like Beard use when they mean funny.
Doug Kenney: The Odd Comic Genius Behind ‘Animal House’ and National Lampoon | Robert Sam Anson | March 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTGwynne made a wry face as he sat down before the dressing-table that he might reflect his visage while he brushed his hair.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonJanet made a wry face and with the greatest care eased herself into a chair piled with cushions.
The Adventure Girls at K Bar O | Clair BlankTo admire these same views, is it not admiring without knowing wry?
Superstition In All Ages (1732) | Jean MeslierGenevieve made a wry face; then, meeting Mrs. Kennedy's reproving eye, she colored.
The Sunbridge Girls at Six Star Ranch | Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman) PorterKing OLeary made a wry face, and ran his hand nervously through his hair.
The Woman Gives | Owen Johnson
British Dictionary definitions for wry
/ (raɪ) /
twisted, contorted, or askew
(of a facial expression) produced or characterized by contorting of the features, usually indicating dislike
drily humorous; sardonic
warped, misdirected, or perverse
(of words, thoughts, etc) unsuitable or wrong
(tr) to twist or contort
Origin of wry
1Derived forms of wry
- wryly, adverb
- wryness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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