variants
also ironical
as in acidic
marked by an often negative or mocking form of wit in which words are used to express something different to their literal meaning
a book written in an ironic style an ironic sense of humor
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ironic
But the criticism is ironic given DC Studios’ co-chief James Gunn‘s famous pledge of taking a script-first approach to franchise management.
—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2026
Janamanchi figured some people would come for an ironic spectacle.
—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2026
Something ironic, perhaps, about the politically fickle Roseanne Barr’s claim to Dickens (The Tale of Two Cities; current bid $1).
—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
Whatever the reasons, the result is somewhat ironic.
—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ironic
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2026
Janamanchi figured some people would come for an ironic spectacle.
—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2026
Something ironic, perhaps, about the politically fickle Roseanne Barr’s claim to Dickens (The Tale of Two Cities; current bid $1).
—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
25 June 2026
Whatever the reasons, the result is somewhat ironic.
—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ironic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ironic
Adjective
-
Avocado, tomatillos, a serrano pepper, and lime are mixed together in just five minutes to make a bright and acidic dip that's served best with your favorite tortilla chips.
-
It’s absorbed without needing food or a highly acidic environment.
Adjective
-
His willingness to move to Rio de Janeiro upon taking the job endeared him to the cynical public, as did his decision to call up Neymar to his squad to quieten the noise the forward’s potential exclusion would have brought with it.
-
Against the run of play, the Atlas Lions won a free kick near the corner of the box after Luc De Fougerolles was booked for a cynical challenge.
Adjective
-
Scotto highlighted that Kinetik has purpose-built its system for sour gas handling, giving it an edge over new competitors that may face permitting delays of at least three years to build acid gas injection wells.
-
On the other hand, a hydrangea species that can sometimes disappoint Chicago-area gardeners is the bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), known for having big blue blooms when grown in acid soil and popular in the eastern United States.
Adjective
-
Historical evidence supports this portrayal to some extent, with exhausted monks leaving wry marginal notes.
-
Fortunately, Dusse lightens the lawyer’s spiral into his mobster client’s dark underworld with wry humor and pointed skewering of both the wellness industry and the criminal legal profession.
Adjective
-
Another child was rescued from the rubble in Venezuela’s La Guaira region, marking a poignant moment at the close of a long and emotionally charged day of crisis response on Saturday.
-
But Van Sant’s imaginative and deeply poignant retelling of Shakespeare’s Henry IV is a pleasure in its own right, its sweetness and gentle touches of surrealism coming together to form a heartbreaking ode to young love.
Adjective
-
In a bowl, combine all dry rub ingredients and season the ribs generously on all sides.
-
Flip your cloth to a dry side and buff for that perfect, streak-free shine.
Adjective
-
This is taken as evidence of his status, not a sarcastic criticism.
-
On Monday night, Contreras was ejected in the second inning after a check-swing strikeout prompted him to give a sarcastic ABS challenge gesture at the umpire, earning an instant boot.
Adjective
-
The script for the video was written by Casale and his longtime friend Max Papeschi, an Italian satirical artist.
-
Staff members of the satirical magazine Leman are on trial on charges of inciting hatred over a cartoon published last year that features the Prophet Mohammed and Moses.
Cite this Entry
“Ironic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ironic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
