sardonic

[sahr-don-ik]

adjective

1. characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; sneering; cynical;

   a sardonic grin.

   Synonyms: contemptuous, mordant, biting

sardonic

/ sɑːˈdɒnɪk /

adjective

1. characterized by irony, mockery, or derision

Other Word Forms

• sardonically adverb
• sardonicism noun
• unsardonic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sardonic¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sardonic¹

C17: from French sardonique, from Latin sardonius, from Greek sardonios derisive, literally: of Sardinia, alteration of Homeric sardanios scornful (laughter or smile)

Example Sentences

There was Baron Hoover and his wife, the baroness, and the Earl of Maytag, who looked sardonic as ever.

Read more on Literature

What “The Trouble With Harry” needed, Herrmann wrote, was “a musical portrait of Hitchcock . . . gay, funny, macabre, tender and with an abundance of his sardonic wit.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Folds’ best-known songs, such as “Brick,” “Song for the Dumped,” “Army,” “Rockin’ the Suburbs” and “Zak and Sara,” may seem too sardonic or dark for the sweet world of Snoopy and company.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Hannah read it in a way that was dry, sardonic, the way that a comedy writer would say it, and she just had this toughness about her.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And when they do, the show presents a view of Los Angeles that’s both sardonic and affectionate, portraying a place where dreams can come true, provided you’re not stuck on the 405 at rush hour.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acerbic 
• biting 
• caustic 
• derisive 
• mocking 
• mordant 
• satirical