Practice Sarcastic with Flashcards, Spelling and Quizzes

Study with flashcards, practice spelling, then take a quiz to check your understanding:

Frustration and Exasperation

Choose an activity:

Artifice and Falseness

Choose an activity:

Obstacles and Hardships

Choose an activity:

Dialogue and Articulation

Choose an activity:

Vilification and Vitriol

Choose an activity:

Emotional Intensity and Reactions

Choose an activity:

Mockery and Insults

Choose an activity:

✔ Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.

✔ All-in-one dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.

✔ 147 categorized lessons, 428 practical activities, 632 pages.

✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.

✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT

sarcastic

Sarcastic (adjective) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

adjective

IPA:

/sɑrˈkæs tɪk/

What does sarcastic mean?

Characterized by the use of irony, mocking, or caustic remarks to express contempt, ridicule, or derision.
"He used a sarcastic remark to express his frustration with the situation."

Detailed Meaning of Sarcastic

When someone is being sarcastic, they often say something contrary to their true intent or meaning, aiming to convey humor, criticism, or satire. Sarcastic remarks are typically marked by a sharp, biting tone and are meant to provoke a response, challenge a statement, or highlight absurdity. The use of sarcasm often involves a deliberate play on words, employing verbal irony or a sarcastic tone to convey a message that is different from, or even opposite to, what is literally stated. Sarcasm is a form of communication that relies on the subtleties of tone, context, and delivery to convey its intended meaning.

Example Sentences for Sarcastic

1. His sarcastic tone indicated his disbelief in her exaggerated story.
2. She couldn't resist making a sarcastic comment about his fashion sense.
3. The teacher's sarcastic response left the students speechless.
4. Her sarcastic sense of humor often caught people off guard.
5. The sarcastic tone of his email was evident from the first sentence.
6. I could tell by her sarcastic smile that she wasn't pleased with the outcome.

Origin and Etymology of Sarcastic

The adjective 'sarcastic' has its etymological roots in the same source as its noun form, 'sarcasm.' It stems from the Greek word 'sarkasmos,' which is derived from 'sarkazein,' meaning 'to tear flesh' or 'to bite the lips in rage, sneer at, mock.' This Greek term aptly captures the essence of sarcasm as a form of communication characterized by the use of ironic, mocking, or caustic remarks to express contempt, ridicule, or derision. As 'sarkasmos' evolved through various languages, it eventually gave rise to the adjective 'sarcastic' in English. The etymology of 'sarcastic' highlights its inherent connection to the biting and scornful nature of sarcasm, which persists in its modern usage to describe language or expressions marked by irony and derisive humor.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the adjective sarcastic:

ironic

genuine

sincere

straightforward

Try Again!

Correct!

Continue Quiz

More Usage Examples of Sarcastic

1. He replied with a sarcastic comment, mocking their lack of preparation.
2. She delivered a sarcastic remark that left everyone in the room laughing.
3. The sarcastic undertone of his voice made it clear he was being sarcastic.
4. His sarcastic wit always added an element of amusement to conversations.
5. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at his sarcastic response.
6. His sarcastic comments often rubbed people the wrong way.
7. She had a sarcastic sense of humor that some found off-putting.
8. The tone of his voice was dripping with sarcastic humor.
9. Her sarcastic wit could cut through even the thickest tension.
10. He gave a sarcastic response to the absurd question.
11. The comedian delivered a hilariously sarcastic performance.
12. His sarcastic quip left everyone in stitches.
13. She couldn't resist making a sarcastic remark about the situation.
14. His sarcastic retorts made the argument even more heated.
15. The movie's sarcastic dialogue added depth to the characters.
16. Her sarcastic grin hinted at an inside joke.
17. He adopted a sarcastic tone to highlight the absurdity of the situation.
18. The sarcastic humor in the show appealed to a wide audience.
19. His sarcastic comments provided comic relief during the tense meeting.
20. She had a knack for delivering sarcastic one-liners.
21. The teacher's sarcastic remark embarrassed the student.
22. His sarcastic sense of humor often went over people's heads.
23. The article was filled with sarcastic commentary on current events.
24. She used a sarcastic tone to express her frustration.
25. His sarcastic response defused the tension in the room.