sarcastic

adjective

sar·​cas·​tic sär-ˈka-stik 

1

: having the character of sarcasm

sarcastic criticism

2

: given to the use of sarcasm : caustic

a sarcastic critic

sarcastically

sär-ˈka-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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Snarky vs. Sarcastic

Some have questioned whether snarky is a real word. There can be no doubt that it is; the adjective has been recorded in English since 1906. Its original meaning, “crotchety, snappish,” has largely been overtaken, however, by the far more frequently-encountered sense “sarcastic, impertinent or irreverent.” The precise difference between utterances described as sarcastic and snarky will vary somewhat based on the individual using each word. Some feel that sarcastic usually implies irony, or stating the opposite of what is really intended (for example, “thank you so much for your promptness” spoken to someone who arrives late), whereas snarky implies simple impertinence or irreverence (as when Downton Abbey's Dowager Countess asks Isobel Crawley, “does it ever get cold on the moral high ground?”)

Synonyms

• acerb
• acerbic
• acid
• acidic
• acidulous
• acrid
• barbed
• biting
• caustic
• corrosive
• cutting
• mordant
• pungent
• sardonic
• satiric
• satirical
• scalding
• scathing
• sharp
• smart-aleck
• smart-alecky
• smart-mouthed
• snarky
• tart

Choose the Right Synonym for sarcastic

sarcastic, satiric, ironic, sardonic mean marked by bitterness and a power or will to cut or sting.

sarcastic implies an intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting, or ridiculing.

a critic known for his sarcastic remarks

satiric implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation.

a satiric look at contemporary society

ironic implies an attempt to be amusing or provocative by saying usually the opposite of what is meant.

made the ironic observation that the government could always be trusted

sardonic implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression.

surveyed the scene with a sardonic smile

Examples of sarcastic in a Sentence

DeWitt is everything Shea is not. And Shea quickly felt DeWitt's contempt. "Lincoln is loud," Jim says. "He makes sarcastic comments because he has to call attention to himself all the time. Some people are insecure because they haven't established themselves yet." —Anne Marie Cruz, ESPN, 18 Feb. 2002

Close on the heels of "Millionaire" came "The Weakest Link," which added a new wrinkle (subsequently picked up by "American Idol"): Its British host, Anne Robinson, was presented not as a genteel, erudite tutor but rather as a rude, sarcastic jerk. —Andrew Sullivan, New Republic, 4 Nov. 2002

Frank evokes the eccentric Hamilton family and their feisty Gullah housekeeper with originality and conviction; Susan herself—smart, sarcastic, funny and endearingly flawed—makes a lively and memorable narrator. —Publishers Weekly, 24 Jan. 2000

her sarcastic comments that my singing reminded her of the time her dog was sick

Recent Examples on the Web

On screen, Amelia also doesn’t have much of a relationship with Abby, who is cutting, sarcastic, and all-too-willing to gossip about her family when questioned by police. —Patricia Karounos, refinery29.com, 10 Sep. 2024

Trump says his 2020 election ‘lost by a whisker’ comment was ‘sarcastic’ One of the moderators, ABC anchor David Muir, asked Trump about his stance on whether the 2020 election was legitimate. —Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024

When filmmakers are untrustworthy, a sarcastic rom-com like Fly Me to the Moon can’t be fun. —Armond White, National Review, 17 July 2024

Viva Hinds is their fourth and finest album, a joyful, brash half-hour of swaggering tunes about facing up to heartache by turning it into a sarcastic joke, with guitars cranked up all the way. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

sarc(asm) + -astic, by analogy with other Greek-derived words where the suffixes -asm and -astic imply one another (as enthusiasm, enthusiastic)

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sarcastic

adjective

sar·​cas·​tic sär-ˈkas-tik 

1

: containing sarcasm

a sarcastic remark

2

: being in the habit of using sarcasm

a sarcastic person

sarcastically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb