sardonically

American  

[sahr-don-ik-lee] / sɑrˈdɒn ɪk li /

adverb

1. in a way that is characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mockingly.

   She laughed and sardonically sang him a love song as she prepared to walk out of his life.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unsardonically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of sardonically

sardonic ( def. ) + -ally ( def. )

Example Sentences

His sardonically bouncy song “Vietnam,” from his self-titled album released in 1969, was said to have been Bob Dylan’s favorite antiwar song.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025

The inquiry’s own lead counsel asked sardonically whether she was “the unluckiest CEO in history”.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2024

Ali Jarbawi, a former minister of the PA and a professor of political science, sardonically responded to the prospect of international security forces by saying “Ahlan wa Sahlan,” which means “welcome” in Arabic.

From Slate • Nov. 15, 2023

“Great reference,” Crosby said sardonically when he was told about the arrangement.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2023

His voice sweetens sardonically ‘And we wouldn’t want that now, would we? Santa won’t be too impressed with that, will he now? No, he won’t.”

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak