satirical

[ suh-tir-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, containing, or characterized by satire:

   satirical novels.

   Synonyms: acid, biting, mordant, cutting, ironical, sardonic

2. indulging in or given to satire:

   a satirical poet.

satirical

/ səˈtɪrɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or containing satire
2. given to the use of satire

Derived Forms

• saˈtirically, adverb
• saˈtiricalness, noun

Other Words From

• sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• sa·tir·i·cal·ness noun
• non·sa·tir·ic adjective
• non·sa·tir·i·cal adjective
• non·sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·sa·tir·i·cal·ness noun
• pseu·do·sa·tir·i·cal adjective
• pseu·do·sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• qua·si-sa·tir·i·cal adjective
• qua·si-sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• sem·i·sa·tir·ic adjective
• sem·i·sa·tir·i·cal adjective
• sem·i·sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• sub·sa·tir·ic adjective
• sub·sa·tir·i·cal adjective
• sub·sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• sub·sa·tir·i·cal·ness noun
• un·sa·tir·ic adjective
• un·sa·tir·i·cal adjective
• un·sa·tir·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·sa·tir·i·cal·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of satirical¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Late Latin satiric(us) (from satir(a) satire + -icus -ic ) + -al ¹

Synonym Study

See cynical.

Example Sentences

Moore snagging a fourth Globe nomination, since the Globes obviously are unafraid of showbiz-themed satirical body horror.

From Los Angeles Times

Set at a fictional resort called the White Lotus, the murder-mystery dramedy has garnered acclaim for its satirical portrayal of wealthy tourists and the working locals who cater to them.

From Los Angeles Times

Period satirical adventure comedies with thieves as heroes, tooled with a British or Australian sense of humor.

From Los Angeles Times

The "very demure, very mindful" trend took off after that and the satirical idea pokes fun at the stereotypical ideas of femininity.

From BBC

In September, his preprint received an Ig Nobel Prize, a satirical award that promotes research that “makes people laugh, then think.”

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• biting
• caustic
• incisive
• mordant
• sarcastic
• sardonic
• satiric