sarcastic

sarcastic — adjective

1. said or done in a way that conveys the opposite of the literal words, with the g

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

said or done in a way that conveys the opposite of the literal words, with the goal of mocking, criticizing, or making a pointed joke about someone or something.

Example

Joaquín's sarcastic tone made it clear he did not believe the manager's excuse.

sarcastic + tone for expressing disbelief

When Iris said 'Great job, Feng' in a sarcastic voice, her friends knew she meant the opposite.

sarcastic voice with reported direct speech

Common collocations
  • sarcastic + tone
  • sarcastic + remark
  • sarcastic + comment
  • sarcastic + laugh
  • sarcastic + smile
  • sarcastic + voice
  • sarcastic + humour
  • deeply sarcastic
  • mildly sarcastic
  • sarcastic about
Synonyms
  • ironic

    Broader term; can describe situations and outcomes, not just intentional speech. 'Irony' does not always carry the sharp or hurtful edge of sarcasm.

  • mocking

    More directly about imitating or making fun of someone. Less about clever wordplay and more about open ridicule.

  • satirical

    Usually refers to written or performed works targeting society, politics, or institutions, not spontaneous personal remarks.

  • caustic

    Very harsh and bitter, with intent to wound; a stronger, more destructive tone than typical sarcasm.

Antonyms
  • sincere

    Means what is said honestly matches the speaker's true feelings.

  • straightforward

    Direct and clear, without hidden or opposite meaning.

Grammar Patterns

sarcastic + noun (tone, remark, comment, laugh)

be + sarcastic

sarcastic about + noun / -ing form

Usage Note

Frequently used to describe a person's tone, voice, or choice of words rather than a situation. Contrast with 'ironic', which describes an unexpected outcome or situation — sarcasm is an intentional way of speaking.

Common Mistakes

The weather was sarcastic — sunny after the forecast said rain.
The weather was ironic
sunny after the forecast said rain.' — 'sarcastic' describes someone's speech, not a situation.
She gave me a sarcastic situation.
She gave me a sarcastic look.
'sarcastic' does not describe events or situations; it describes remarks, expressions, or tone.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Sarcastic describes a person's deliberate way of speaking — they say the opposite of what they mean, often to mock or criticise with a sharp edge ('Oh, brilliant idea — leave the keys at home'). Ironic describes a situation or outcome that unexpectedly contradicts what was expected, without implying anyone chose to speak that way ('It's ironic that the fire station burned down'). Mocking is more openly cruel and often involves imitating someone's voice or behaviour. Satirical is reserved for creative works — articles, shows, cartoons — that criticise society or politics through exaggeration and humour ('The satirical news show made fun of both political parties'). A remark can be sarcastic without being ironic, and a situation can be ironic without anyone being sarcastic.

sarcastic ↗ironic ↗mockingsatirical ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Sarcastic comes from the Greek word sarkasmos, which means 'to tear flesh like a dog' — a vivid metaphor for how biting and hurtful sarcastic speech can feel. The word passed through Latin (sarcasmus) and French (sarcastique) before entering English in the late 1600s. The original image of tearing flesh has softened over time, but the sense of sharp, wounding language remains at its core.