Meaning & use
sardonic
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Meaning
adjectivenot comparable
Showing dry, bitter amusement or criticism, often in a look, tone, or remark.
Grammar: Usually before a noun or after seem/sound: a sardonic smile; His tone sounded sardonic.
Patterns
- a sardonic smile
- a sardonic remark
- sound sardonic
She gave a sardonic smile when the plan failed again.
His sardonic remark made the meeting uncomfortable.
The review was not angry, just quietly sardonic.
Common combinations
- sardonic smile
- A sardonic smile crossed his face during the apology.
- sardonic humor
- The film uses sardonic humor rather than slapstick.
- sardonic tone
- Her sardonic tone revealed more than her words.
- sardonic wit
- He is known for sardonic wit about office politics.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ironic
- Highlights a contrast between expectation and reality; sardonic adds bitterness or scorn.
- sarcastic
- More openly mocking and often hurtful; sardonic can be cooler and less direct.
- cynical
- Distrusts motives and sincerity generally; sardonic describes the style of a remark or look.
- wry
- A dry, clever twist that may be gentler; sardonic is usually sharper and more contemptuous.
Opposites
Word family
- sardonically adverb
- In a dry, scornfully amused way.
Commonly confused: sardonic or sardine?
sardonic vs sardine
A sardine is a small fish; sardonic describes bitterly amused criticism.
Practice
Choose the best completion. After the third delay, Mara gave a ___ smile and said, "Wonderful planning."
Choose one answer.
A sardonic smile fits bitter, dry amusement after frustration. Warm is opposite, compulsory means required, and infatuated is romantic.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sardonic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.