sarcastic
Americanadjective
-
characterized by sarcasm
-
given to the use of sarcasm
Related Words
See cynical.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sarcastic
First recorded in 1685–95; sarc(asm) + -astic, on the model of enthusiasm ( def. ): enthusiastic ( def. ); see -ic ( def. )
Compare meaning
How does sarcastic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Sarcastic humor mocks or ridicules, usually by saying the opposite of what is actually meant. The talent-show judge who rolls his eyes at your dancing, smirks, and says, "You ought to be on Broadway" is a sarcastic person. Sarcastic comes from the Greek word sarkazhein, which literally means "tear the flesh." Maybe that's why we also refer to our talent-show judge's remark as "cutting." When someone's being sarcastic, sometimes it's the tone, facial expression, or body language that let you know — like when our talent-show judge says exaggeratedly, "Great job! I almost confused you for Pavarotti," as he gives you a thumbs-down.
Vocabulary lists containing sarcastic
The Catcher in the Rye
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In the Mood? 100 Words to Describe Emotions
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"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sarcastic but never mean-spirited, the show is a song-and-dance-filled extravaganza and, if previous iterations are any indication, a rather free-ranging exploration of other holiday traditions beyond the Christmas-centric.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2023
Although she had never responded to his Facebook messages, he said she covertly communicated with him through websites such as Radio One Lebanon and Sarcastic Bad Bitches.
From Washington Post • Apr. 1, 2023
“I put my symptoms into WebMD & it turns out I just have kids,” Lisa Munn, who goes by the name Sarcastic Mommy, tweeted.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2020
Sarcastic responses from Brussels journalists continued to pour in to Palmeri’s Twitter feed.
From The Guardian • Jun. 18, 2015
Sarcastic Sawney, swol’n with spite and prate, On silent Franklin poured his venal hate.
From The True Benjamin Franklin by Fisher, Sydney George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
