Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [sahr-don-ik]
- /sɑrˈdɒn ɪk/
- /sɑːˈdɒn.ɪk/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [sahr-don-ik]
- /sɑrˈdɒn ɪk/
Definitions of sardonic word
- adjective sardonic characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering: a sardonic grin. 1
- adjective sardonic mocking 1
- adjective sardonic If you describe someone as sardonic, you mean their attitude to people or things is humorous but rather critical. 0
- adjective sardonic characterized by irony, mockery, or derision 0
- adjective sardonic disdainfully or bitterly sneering, ironic, or sarcastic 0
Information block about the term
Origin of sardonic
First appearance:
before 1630 One of the 42% oldest English words
1630-40; alteration of earlier sardonian (influenced by French sardonique) < Latin sardoni(us) (< Greek sardónios of Sardinia) + -an; alluding to a Sardinian plant which when eaten was supposed to produce convulsive laughter ending in death
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Sardonic
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
sardonic popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 75% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
sardonic usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for sardonic
adj sardonic
- aporetic — Tending to doubt.
- aslant — at a slant
- backhanded — A backhanded compliment is a remark which seems to be an insult but could also be understood as a compliment. A backhanded compliment is also a remark which seems to be a compliment but could also be understood as an insult.
- bitter — In a bitter argument or conflict, people argue very angrily or fight very fiercely.
- cold-shoulder — to snub; show indifference to.
adjective sardonic
- derisive — A derisive noise, expression, or remark expresses contempt.
- jeering — to speak or shout derisively; scoff or gibe rudely: Don't jeer unless you can do better.
- keen — finely sharpened, as an edge; so shaped as to cut or pierce substances readily: a keen razor.
- misanthropic — of, relating to, or characteristic of a misanthrope.
- mocking — to attack or treat with ridicule, contempt, or derision.
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with s
- Words starting with sa
- Words starting with sar
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- Words starting with sardonic