sardonic

[ sahr-don-ik ]

/ sɑrˈdɒn ɪk /

adjective

characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering: a sardonic grin.

Nearby words

Origin of sardonic

1630–40; alteration of earlier sardonian (influenced by French sardonique) < Latin sardoni(us) (< Greek sardónios of Sardinia) + -an; alluding to a Sardinian plant which when eaten was supposed to produce convulsive laughter ending in death

SYNONYMS FOR sardonic

biting, mordant, contemptuous.

Related formssar·don·i·cal·ly, adverbsar·don·i·cism, nounun·sar·don·ic, adjectiveun·sar·don·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sardonically

The town, sardonically referred to by the locals as “Poisonville,” .
The Man With Stories to Tell|Allen Barra|December 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The room of conservatives did, along with one of the Times reporters, who loudly and sardonically lifted his glass “To Andrew.”
At Bars Nationwide, Conservatives Raise a Glass to Andrew Breitbart|Ben Jacobs, Laura Isensee|March 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“Welcome to Egypt,” said a youth to me, sardonically, and pointed to the group of handcuffed people around me.
My 36 Hours in Egyptian Captivity|Daniel Williams|February 7, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Newmark, perched on a stump, was surveying him sardonically and chewing the end of an unlighted cigar.
The Riverman|Stewart Edward White

“And set him pirouetting, Sire,” sardonically suggested James.
Mistress Nell|George C. Hazelton, Jr.
Facing them another group, who I fancied meant mischief, lounged against the bar, looking on sardonically.
Lorimer of the Northwest|Harold Bindloss
Courthorne himself stood close by, smiling at him sardonically.
The Impostor|Harold Bindloss
"Sir, I admire your care of the young lady's simplicity," said M. Varbarriere, sardonically.
Guy Deverell, v. 1 of 2|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

British Dictionary definitions for sardonically

sardonic

/ (sɑːˈdɒnɪk) /

adjective

characterized by irony, mockery, or derision

Derived Formssardonically, adverbsardonicism, noun

Word 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)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012