sarcasm — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Use of acerbic language to mock or convey contempt, often using verbal irony and (in speech) often marked by overemphasis and sneering.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   Although the Celebrity was almost impervious to sarcasm, he was now beginning to exhibit visible signs of uneasiness, the consciousness dawning upon him that his eccentricity was not receiving the ovation it merited.

   2015, Alex Kozinski, Demuth v. County of Los Angeles, 798 F.3d 837, 839 (9th Cir. 2015). While challenging someone equipped with a badge, handcuffs and a gun to “arrest me” was unwise on Demuth’s part, we fail to see what legal difference her statement makes. Demuth certainly could not authorize her own arrest and, in any event, Li could not reasonably have believed that Demuth was volunteering for handcuffs. Demuth was obviously employing “a literary device known as sarcasm.” [Citation omitted.] Her statement was a snide way of refusing; no reasonable officer could have thought otherwise.

2. An individual act of the above.

   Usage

   • Countable

Noun

1. witty language used to convey insults or scorn

   Synonyms

   ironysatirecaustic remark

   Broader terms

   withumorhumourwitticismwittiness

   Examples

   he used sarcasm to upset his opponent

   irony is wasted on the stupid