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Meaning of sarcasm in English:

sarcasm

Pronunciation /ˈsɑːkaz(ə)m/

See synonyms for sarcasm

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noun

mass noun

  • The use of irony to mock or convey contempt.

    ‘she didn't like the note of sarcasm in his voice’
    • ‘Watch out for scorn, sarcasm, ridicule and contempt and inappropriate humour.’
    • ‘There are jokes and smatterings of sarcasm and irony in Register stories but these aren't for you.’
    • ‘We can only presume that the index does not account for such complex concepts as sarcasm and irony.’
    • ‘Her voice was dripping with sarcasm and, Cole noted with amusement, jealousy.’
    • ‘Now is a time for cynics to drop their superior sneers, swap their sarcasm for a sleigh and listen to the Santa in their soul.’
    • ‘Despite missing her lines on a number of occasions, she made up for it with fantastic sneers and sarcasm.’
    • ‘There was a tinge of sarcasm in his voice and I could sense a laughter somewhere in the background.’
    • ‘Her voice dripping with cynical sarcasm, she said she would have those words mounted and framed.’
    • ‘His tone held a hint of mockery and sarcasm when he addressed her as young lady.’
    • ‘His wit, sarcasm, and sense of irony are not always easy to distinguish from where he is sincere.’
    • ‘Karen is quite a character, a woman of humor, sarcasm and extreme estrogen.’
    • ‘But sarcasm, whether or not it's the lowest form of wit, is an expression of weakness.’
    • ‘All sarcasm aside, the bottom line here is that the film just doesn't work.’
    • ‘All right, we admit sarcasm isn't the nicest way to make a point, but you have to admit it's effective.’
    • ‘Through sarcasm and dark comedic intonation, he seeks to expose true dilemmas and issues.’
    • ‘Although it looks like she is writing about the life she herself loves to lead, there is a certain amount of sarcasm in this book.’
    • ‘A mere two months ago every Friday was a virtual smorgasbord of sarcasm for me.’
    • ‘Witty sarcasm is fun, but back it up with something if you want it to be taken seriously.’
    • ‘Whenever the band got some coverage in music bible the NME, it was packed with sarcasm and cheap jibes.’
    • ‘From someone as sharp as Morrissey, blunt sarcasm is enormously disappointing.’
    derision, mockery, ridicule, satire, irony, scorn, sneering, scoffing, gibing, taunting
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Origin

Mid 16th century from French sarcasme, or via late Latin from late Greek sarkasmos, from Greek sarkazein ‘tear flesh’, in late Greek ‘gnash the teeth, speak bitterly’ (from sarx, sark- ‘flesh’).