sardonic

Advancedzipf 2.58

Pronunciation

/sɑːˈdɒnɪk/(sar-DON-ik)

Part of speech

adjectiveformal

Chinese

嘲讽的；冷嘲热讽的（带有苦涩或不屑）

Definition

Grimly mocking or cynical; disdainfully humorous.

Word family

  • sardonically/sɑːˈdɒnɪkəli/(adv)嘲讽地

Collocations

  • sardonic smile
  • sardonic humor
  • sardonic tone
  • sardonic comment

Examples

  1. 1.He gave a sardonic smile when told the project would be "easy." (cynical, mocking)
  2. 2.Her sardonic wit made her popular with some and feared by others. (sharp, biting humor)

Synonyms

  • sarcastic/sɑːˈkæstɪk/— mocking, using irony
  • cynical/ˈsɪnɪkəl/— distrustful of sincerity
  • mocking/ˈmɒkɪŋ/— making fun of

Etymology

from Greek "sardonios" — supposedly from a Sardinian plant that caused facial contortions resembling a bitter grin