sardonic
[ sahr-don-ik ]
/ sɑrˈdɒn ɪk /
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adjective
characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; sneering; cynical; a sardonic grin.
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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
OTHER WORDS FROM sardonic
sar·don·i·cal·ly, adverbsar·don·i·cism, nounun·sar·don·ic, adjectiveWords nearby sardonic
sardine, Sardinia, Sardinian, Sardis, sardius, sardonic, sardonically, sardonic grin, sardonyx, Sardou, Sarera Bay
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for sardonic
British Dictionary definitions for sardonic
sardonic
/ (sɑːˈdɒnɪk) /
adjective
characterized by irony, mockery, or derision
Derived forms of sardonic
sardonically, adverbsardonicism, nounWord Origin for sardonic
C17: from French sardonique, from Latin sardonius, from Greek sardonios derisive, literally: of Sardinia, alteration of Homeric sardanios scornful (laughter or smile)
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