irony

noun

Definition of ironynext
as in contradiction
a situation that is strange or funny because things happen in a way that seems to be the opposite of what is expected We got a good chuckle seeing their tow truck being towed away, but our friends failed to see the irony.

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun irony differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of irony are humor, repartee, sarcasm, satire, and wit. While all these words mean "a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement," irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed.

the irony of the title

When can humor be used instead of irony?

While the synonyms humor and irony are close in meaning, humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness.

a sense of humor

When is it sensible to use repartee instead of irony?

The words repartee and irony are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily.

a dinner guest noted for repartee

Where would sarcasm be a reasonable alternative to irony?

The meanings of sarcasm and irony largely overlap; however, sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound.

given to heartless sarcasm

When is satire a more appropriate choice than irony?

The synonyms satire and irony are sometimes interchangeable, but satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature.

a satire on the Congress

When could wit be used to replace irony?

While in some cases nearly identical to irony, wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous.

a playful wit

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 irony The latest investigation was widely satirized on Chinese social media, where commenters noted the irony of the allegations given that Shi’s religion requires him to live frugally. —Peter Guo, NBC news, 28 July 2025 The irony of that moment is that when Jones did deliver a good pass to Mitchell during 11-on-11, Mitchell dropped it while running a short route in the flat. —James Boyd, New York Times, 28 July 2025 The irony of this Coldplay viral video surely can't be lost on us. —MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025 Between them is where the irony starts to blur: Were Creed and Nickelback unfairly rated? —Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for irony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irony
  1. contradiction
  2. amusement
  3. paradox
  4. absurdity
  5. incongruity
  6. dichotomy
Noun
  • The story sees Lila, a young Korean-Argentinian girl, navigating the contradictions of her identity and trying to find her place in the world.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 29 July 2025
  • China’s overall lean toward Russia obscures the challenges and contradictions in Beijing’s relationship with Moscow.
    — Da Wei, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 2025
Definition of contradiction
Noun
  • Things to do: Number of sports teams, number of amusement places and arcades per capita, number of Traveler's Choice attractions per capita.
    — Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 22 July 2025
  • Before there was Netflix, Instagram, and all of our other modern day amusements, what was a working person to do in their off hours?
    — Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 18 July 2025
Definition of amusement
Noun
  • This scenario is the business travel paradox: your most eager travelers are often your most vulnerable.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • To settle the potato paradox, Zhang and his colleagues amassed more than 120 genomes from dozens of species spanning the potato, tomato, and Etuberosum groups and tried to piece together a narrative.
    — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 31 July 2025
Definition of paradox
Noun
  • Beneath the absurdity and punchlines lies a serious critique of how violence is packaged, sold, and consumed in American media.
    — Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
  • During the performance that shot her to fame earlier this month, Fan laid bare the absurdity facing many victims of domestic violence in the country.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 27 July 2025
Definition of absurdity
Noun
  • Already concerned about the incongruity of having a comic yukking it up with what was happening with the AP and other outlets, the WHCA scrapped her.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Kirby’s incongruity is terrifying, so said someone much wiser than me.
    — Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Definition of incongruity
Noun
  • Attorney Chad Dunn, who is representing a group of plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said the dichotomy is evidence of political opportunism.
    — John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 14 July 2025
  • Take Jean-Michel Basquiat for model, whose exploration of a repertoire of ideas was firmly rooted in ‘suggestive dichotomies’ between 1980s NYC and a panoply of heroic figures, saints, and kings that evoked Catholic Haitian traditions.
    — Matthew Carey Salyer, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Definition of dichotomy

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Cite this Entry

“Irony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irony. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on irony

Nglish: Translation of irony for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about irony

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