sarcastic

American  

[sahr-kas-tik] / sɑrˈkæs tɪk /

Sometimes sarcastical

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by sarcasm.

   a sarcastic reply.

2. using or given to the use of sarcasm.

   His business failures made him sarcastic about other people's ventures.

   Synonyms:

   sardonic, ironic, derisive, bitter, mordant, cutting, biting

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sarcastic British  

/ sɑːˈkæstɪk /

adjective

1. characterized by sarcasm

2. given to the use of sarcasm

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Related Words

See cynical.

Other Word Forms

• quasi-sarcastic adjective
• quasi-sarcastically adverb
• sarcastically adverb
• sarcasticalness noun
• sarcasticness noun
• supersarcastic adjective
• supersarcastically adverb
• unsarcastic adjective
• unsarcastical adjective
• unsarcastically adverb

Etymology

Origin of sarcastic

First recorded in 1685–95; sarc(asm) + -astic, on the model of enthusiasm ( def. ): enthusiastic ( def. ); -ic ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does sarcastic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• sardonic vs. sarcastic
• facetious vs. sarcastic

Example Sentences

Vecchione’s deadpan style and constant misdirection are on full display as he talks about age gaps, magic doctors and the reality of marital vows, piling on joke after sarcastic joke.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m not sure if she’s being sarcastic, so I just cram more PB&J in my face.

From Literature

I wrote a pilot script, but Ray didn’t like the title I suggested based on his brother’s sarcastic remark.

From The Wall Street Journal

Crucially, the "charming, witty, sarcastic" stranger she fell in love with was, in her own words, "stronger than me ten-fold".

From BBC

I’m about to say something sarcastic, but a pang of grief hits me in my core.

From Literature

Related Words

• acerbic
• acid
• arrogant
• biting
• bitter
• brusque
• caustic
• derisive
• disparaging
• disrespectful
• mordant
• sardonic
• satirical
• saucy
• trenchant