sarcasm

[sahr-kaz-uhm]

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noun

harsh or bitter derision or irony.
a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark: a review full of sarcasms.

Origin of sarcasm

1570–80; < Late Latin sarcasmus < Greek sarkasmós, derivative of sarkázein to rend (flesh), sneer; see sarco-

Related formssu·per·sar·casm, noun

Synonyms for sarcasm

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1. sardonicism, bitterness, ridicule. See irony¹. 2. jeer.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for sarcasm

mockery, irony, ridicule, satire, bitterness, rancor, derision, cynicism, scorn, banter, contempt, criticism, cut, scoffing, acrimony, dig, sharpness, censure, disparagement, burlesque

Examples from the Web for sarcasm

Contemporary Examples of sarcasm

Friedman is acutely aware of the thin line between soap opera and sarcasm.
Lifetime’s ‘Witches of East End’ Is the Ultimate Witch Show
Anna Brand
November 21, 2013
But it is the quest of a father and son to invent a symbol for sarcasm that will live in infamy.
The Rise and Fall of the Infamous SarcMark
Keith Houston
September 24, 2013
The written word has question marks and exclamation points to document those thoughts, BUT sarcasm has NOTHING!
The Rise and Fall of the Infamous SarcMark
Keith Houston
September 24, 2013
Even after these successive near misses, the irony mark (and, for that matter, the sarcasm mark) remains an elusive beast.
The Rise and Fall of the Infamous SarcMark
Keith Houston
September 24, 2013
It is safe to say that the creators and supporters of other irony and sarcasm marks were not amused.
The Rise and Fall of the Infamous SarcMark
Keith Houston
September 24, 2013

Historical Examples of sarcasm

He now and then indulges in sarcasm, which is, in most cases, very felicitous.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
The sarcasm was without effect on the dull sensibilities of the officer.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
The commissionaire regarded him contemptuously, but did not reply to the sarcasm.
The Foolish Lovers
St. John G. Ervine
"No," said the other, still with that latent touch of sarcasm in her voice.
Meadow Grass
Alice Brown
"Only," repeated the old gentleman; but Geoff detected no sarcasm in his tone.
Great Uncle Hoot-Toot
Mrs. Molesworth

British Dictionary definitions for sarcasm

sarcasm

noun

mocking, contemptuous, or ironic language intended to convey scorn or insult
the use or tone of such language

Word Origin for sarcasm

C16: from Late Latin sarcasmus, from Greek sarkasmos, from sarkazein to rend the flesh, from sarx flesh

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for sarcasm

1570s, sarcasmus, from Late Latin sarcasmus, from late Greek sarkasmos "a sneer, jest, taunt, mockery," from sarkazein "to speak bitterly, sneer," literally "to strip off the flesh," from sarx (genitive sarkos) "flesh," properly "piece of meat," from PIE root *twerk- "to cut" (cf. Avestan thwares "to cut"). Current form of the English word is from 1610s. For nuances of usage, see humor.

sarcasm in Culture

sarcasm

A form of irony in which apparent praise conceals another, scornful meaning. For example, a sarcastic remark directed at a person who consistently arrives fifteen minutes late for appointments might be, “Oh, you've arrived exactly on time!”