Meaning & use
snarky
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivecomparable
Sharply critical or mocking in a sarcastic, irritable way.
Grammar: Comparable: snarkier, snarkiest; more snarky is possible but less idiomatic.
Patterns
- snarky remark
- be snarky with someone
- snarky about something
Her snarky reply made the meeting tense.
Do not get snarky with the customer when they ask a basic question.
He was snarky about the schedule, but he still finished the work.
Word forms
| comparative | snarkier |
|---|---|
| superlative | snarkiest |
Common combinations
- snarky remark
- One snarky remark can damage a team meeting.
- snarky comeback
- He regretted his snarky comeback as soon as he said it.
- sound snarky
- The message sounded snarky even though she meant to be brief.
- get snarky with someone
- Try not to get snarky with classmates when you are tired.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sarcastic
- Focuses on saying the opposite of what is meant; snarky adds irritability and a sharper social edge.
- acerbic
- Biting and witty, but more formal and less specifically irritable.
- snide
- More sly and indirectly insulting; snarky is often more openly impatient.
Opposites
Word family
- snark noun
- Informal sarcastic criticism or mocking remarks.
- snarkily adverb
- In a snarky way.
Commonly confused: snarky or snide?
snarky vs snide
Snide remarks are sneering and often hidden; snarky remarks are sarcastic and typically show annoyance.
Practice
Choose the best completion: Her ___ response made a simple question feel like a personal attack.
Choose one answer.
Snarky fits the criticism and irritation in the sentence; warm, sincere, and grateful are positive and contradict the effect described.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “snarky”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.