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

It would appear that Gyllenhaal’s film has been ironically hacked up and reassembled, but the Frankenstein’d version of “The Bride!” that we’re left with works because it wills itself to.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

But ironically, the Zanesville elite was right in its fanciful prediction that Odessa was bubbling with a bounty of riches.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Related Words

• amusingly
• jokingly