ironically

American  

[ahy-ron-ik-lee] / aɪˈrɒn ɪk li /

adverb

1. in a way that uses words to mean the opposite of what they normally mean, or makes an obvious exaggeration or understatement, as a joke or in order to make a point.

   French author Voltaire ironically commented on war, “It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.”

2. in a way that is the opposite of what would be expected, often as a remarkable coincidence.

   Ironically, one of the main messages of this text on warfare is how to avoid battle through meticulous preparation and planning.

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Other Word Forms

• nonironically adverb
• semi-ironically adverb
• unironically adverb

Etymology

Origin of ironically

First recorded in 1530–40; ironical ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

You used to root for Bronny James to come into games ironically.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

Others are commenting about the situation — ironically, by taking to social media to voice their frustrations about what they’re losing in rewards, be it in points or cash.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

Back in 2013, a number of people — ironically including one on the Gabbard whistleblower’s team — criticized Edward Snowden for not “going through proper channels.”

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2026

Its nonexistence is, ironically, the main thing to emerge so far from the document dump.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Correns had, ironically, been Nägeli’s student in Munich.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Related Words

• amusingly
• jokingly