Meaning & use
sarcasm
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Meaning
noununcountable
A way of speaking in which you say the opposite of what you mean, usually to mock or hurt someone.
Grammar: No plural in this sense: heavy sarcasm, not 'a sarcasm'.
Patterns
- with sarcasm
- a note of sarcasm
'Great, another meeting,' he said with heavy sarcasm.
Her sarcasm was so sharp that nobody dared reply.
I could not tell whether it was sarcasm or a real compliment.
Common combinations
- heavy sarcasm
- He answered with heavy sarcasm.
- dripping with sarcasm
- Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.
- biting sarcasm
- The review was full of biting sarcasm.
- a hint of sarcasm
- I detected a hint of sarcasm in his thanks.
- detect sarcasm
- Computers often fail to detect sarcasm in text.
Synonyms and how they differ
- irony
- Irony is a wider idea of a gap between what is expected and what happens, and need not be unkind, unlike sarcasm.
- mockery
- Mockery is open ridicule, while sarcasm often hides it behind pretended praise.
- satire
- Satire is a form of writing or art that criticizes society, rather than a single remark.
- derision
- Derision is scornful laughter and has no need for the opposite meaning that sarcasm has.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: sarcasm or irony? sarcasm or sardonic?
sarcasm vs irony
Irony does not always mean to insult, but sarcasm is aimed at someone to mock them.
sarcasm vs sardonic
Sardonic means bitterly mocking in a dry way, while sarcasm focuses on saying the opposite.
Practice
A friend spills coffee on your notes and says, 'Wow, you are so graceful.' This is an example of ___.
Choose one answer.
The friend says the opposite of what is meant to mock, which is sarcasm. Flattery would be real praise given to win favor.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sarcasm”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.