sardonic
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sardonic
First recorded in 1630–40; alteration of earlier sardonian (influenced by French sardonique, ) from Latin sardoni(us) or directly from Greek sardónios “of Sardinia” + -an; alluding to a Sardinian plant which when eaten was supposed to produce convulsive laughter ending in death
Compare meaning
How does sardonic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
If someone is being scornful and mocking in a humorous way, call her sardonic. If you want to write comic sketches for late-night talk shows, work on being sardonic. Sardonic comes from the Greek adjective Sardonios, which actually describes a plant from a place called Sardinia that supposedly made your face contort into a horrible grin...right before you died from its poison. The Greeks used sardonic for laughter, but we only use it when someone's humor is also mocking or ironic.
Vocabulary lists containing sardonic
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 4
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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.
This bit of wisdom is key to the lyrical character study that is “Body Language,” Meg Howrey’s sardonic, smart and powerful fifth novel.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
During those meetings he was known for tackling questions head-on, with a sardonic sense of humour.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
Yet it was often the sardonic humour that drew the eye.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
The musical, with a celebrated score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents, takes a sardonic attitude to the idea of ambition—so central to the American character and culture.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
He said nothing; the slight sardonic raise of his eyebrows said that she, too, would have to grow up.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
