Sarcasm
noun
The use of words or expressions to communicate the opposite of what you really think, often to mock or insult someone or something.
Her voice was full of sarcasm when she said how thrilled she was to be working overtime.
Often appears as...
- dripping with sarcasm
- heavy sarcasm
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
The use of words or expressions to communicate the opposite of what you really think, often to mock or insult someone or something.
Her voice was full of sarcasm when she said how thrilled she was to be working overtime.
Often appears as...
- dripping with sarcasm
- heavy sarcasm
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Tone Matters
Listen for a mocking or insincere tone to detect sarcasm since the words alone may seem genuine.
Sure, I love waiting in line for hours.
Pro Tip 2/3Context Clues
Understanding the situation can help distinguish sarcasm from a straightforward statement.
Great, another meeting! (when meetings are clearly disliked)
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Mockery
Sarcasm often involves subtle teasing or ridicule that's not openly hostile.
Oh, brilliant idea, Einstein.
Pro Tip 1/3Tone Matters
Listen for a mocking or insincere tone to detect sarcasm since the words alone may seem genuine.
Sure, I love waiting in line for hours.
Pro Tip 2/3Context Clues
Understanding the situation can help distinguish sarcasm from a straightforward statement.
Great, another meeting! (when meetings are clearly disliked)
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Mockery
Sarcasm often involves subtle teasing or ridicule that's not openly hostile.
Oh, brilliant idea, Einstein.
Pro Tip 1/3Tone Matters
Listen for a mocking or insincere tone to detect sarcasm since the words alone may seem genuine.
Sure, I love waiting in line for hours.
Pro Tip 2/3Context Clues
Understanding the situation can help distinguish sarcasm from a straightforward statement.
Great, another meeting! (when meetings are clearly disliked)
Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Mockery
Sarcasm often involves subtle teasing or ridicule that's not openly hostile.
Oh, brilliant idea, Einstein.
Never forget "Sarcasm"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
3 secrets to Netflix's...
know that works well and then the english have a kind of odd like reverse sarcasm thing they do and they're trying to like you know give you feedback and you know faint breaks so and then you know the japanese expect you to be able to read the air and it's like you know wait you said
Video examples
What is verbal irony? -...
You have said the opposite of what you mean. Additionally, since you have the intention of mocking this poor person, you have not only been verbally ironic, but sarcastic as well. Beware, though. While all sarcasm fits the definition of verbal irony,
Video examples
Three People Rappel Down...
and at our nature, at our center point, we were born with sarcasm, competition, and just a little bit not nice. We've reached it. Look to your right. It is so amazing.
Video examples
3 secrets to Netflix's...
know that works well and then the english have a kind of odd like reverse sarcasm thing they do and they're trying to like you know give you feedback and you know faint breaks so and then you know the japanese expect you to be able to read the air and it's like you know wait you said
Video examples
What is verbal irony? -...
You have said the opposite of what you mean. Additionally, since you have the intention of mocking this poor person, you have not only been verbally ironic, but sarcastic as well. Beware, though. While all sarcasm fits the definition of verbal irony,
Video examples
Three People Rappel Down...
and at our nature, at our center point, we were born with sarcasm, competition, and just a little bit not nice. We've reached it. Look to your right. It is so amazing.
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Aubrey Plaza
American Actress
Sarcasm is weird. Even not in acting, in life I feel like 'sarcastic' is a word that people use to describe me sometimes so when I meet someone, it's almost like they feel like they have to also be sarcastic, but it can sometimes just come off as mean if it's not used in the right way.
Quote examples
Yvonne Orji
Nigerian Actress
I'm just gonna talk about being Nigerian-American. I'm gonna talk about being single. I'm gonna talk about what happened to me on the train today. I'm gonna talk about so many other things that, as a comic, you're able to talk about because you see the world in sarcasm.
Quote examples
Gordon B. Hinckley
American Clergyman
I am suggesting that as we go through life, we 'accentuate the positive.' I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort.
Quote examples
Bassem Youssef
Egyptian Entertainer
Sarcasm all around the world is always against right wing and against people in power. That's the definition of political sarcasm.
Quote examples
Roland Barthes
French Critic
What I claim is to live to the full the contradiction of my time, which may well make sarcasm the condition of truth.
Quote examples
P. J. O'Rourke
American Comedian
As a former writer for the 'National Lampoon,' I've probably contributed to the sea of sarcasm in which we live.
Quote examples
Mahmoud Darwish
Palestinian Poet
Sarcasm helps me overcome the harshness of the reality we live, eases the pain of scars and makes people smile.
Quote examples
Jonathan Banks
American Actor
I probably carry a fair amount of sarcasm in my daily life.
Quote examples
Matt Lanter
American Actor
I feel like sarcasm is important in a relationship.
Quote examples
Kevin Hart
American Actor
Some sarcasm is best told simply.
Quote examples
Aubrey Plaza
American Actress
Sarcasm is weird. Even not in acting, in life I feel like 'sarcastic' is a word that people use to describe me sometimes so when I meet someone, it's almost like they feel like they have to also be sarcastic, but it can sometimes just come off as mean if it's not used in the right way.
Quote examples
Yvonne Orji
Nigerian Actress
I'm just gonna talk about being Nigerian-American. I'm gonna talk about being single. I'm gonna talk about what happened to me on the train today. I'm gonna talk about so many other things that, as a comic, you're able to talk about because you see the world in sarcasm.
Quote examples
Gordon B. Hinckley
American Clergyman
I am suggesting that as we go through life, we 'accentuate the positive.' I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort.
Quote examples
Bassem Youssef
Egyptian Entertainer
Sarcasm all around the world is always against right wing and against people in power. That's the definition of political sarcasm.
Quote examples
Roland Barthes
French Critic
What I claim is to live to the full the contradiction of my time, which may well make sarcasm the condition of truth.
Quote examples
P. J. O'Rourke
American Comedian
As a former writer for the 'National Lampoon,' I've probably contributed to the sea of sarcasm in which we live.
Quote examples
Mahmoud Darwish
Palestinian Poet
Sarcasm helps me overcome the harshness of the reality we live, eases the pain of scars and makes people smile.
Quote examples
Jonathan Banks
American Actor
I probably carry a fair amount of sarcasm in my daily life.
Quote examples
Matt Lanter
American Actor
I feel like sarcasm is important in a relationship.
Quote examples
Kevin Hart
American Actor
Some sarcasm is best told simply.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension