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  • Word comparison: facetious vs. sarcastic

facetious vs. sarcastic

facetious vs. sarcastic: What's the difference?

Facetious and sarcastic both describe types of humor. Facetious means intentionally not serious, as in At least they didn’t steal your brain! after you’ve been robbed. Sarcastic means bitterly ironic or biting, such as You really need a new hat, when the person has too many already. Although uses of the words may overlap, a sarcastic remark is generally made to poke at someone or something’s deficiencies, while a facetious one is typically made in order to lighten the mood.

facetious

adjective

  1. not meant to be taken seriously or literally.

    a facetious remark.

  2. amusing; humorous.

  3. lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous.

    a facetious person.

sarcastic

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or characterized by sarcasm.

    a sarcastic reply.

  2. using or given to the use of sarcasm.

    His business failures made him sarcastic about other people's ventures.

    Synonyms: sardonic, ironic, derisive, bitter, mordant, cutting, biting