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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Recent Examples of irony
The irony is that, by his own admission, Glasner himself is not a patient man, something that can be seen in his emotive body language on the touchline.
—
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The irony is that without vivid color, many snacks and cereals look faded and, well, obviously processed.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
There’s an irony to the machines in that their popularity is also driven by people’s love of old-school, mechanical items, like record players, in the digital age.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
That’s played for comic irony, but in general, the documentary presence isn’t always or even often in the service of gags.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irony
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The irony is that without vivid color, many snacks and cereals look faded and, well, obviously processed.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
There’s an irony to the machines in that their popularity is also driven by people’s love of old-school, mechanical items, like record players, in the digital age.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
That’s played for comic irony, but in general, the documentary presence isn’t always or even often in the service of gags.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irony
Noun
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An intimate look at the life of soon-to-be 18-year-old Bruno, whose youthful impulses and longings stand in contradiction to the responsibility of being the sole carer for his ailing 86-year-old grandmother.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
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The contradiction sliced through me—how could someone wield a slur and then offer softness, as if love alone could undo the wound?—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Test yourself on autumn amusements and federal firsts in this week's American Culture Quiz.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Vanna White, the show's longtime letter turner, responded, prompting some amusement from both Seacrest and Ault.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Activate your default mode network through strategic downtime, leverage neuroplasticity with daily visualization, and escape the stress-success paradox by choosing flow over force.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Especially because the paradoxes only get stronger from Scorpio to Pisces.—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But coming from Alexander Karp, the CEO and cofounder of Palantir Technologies, this concern-trolling about a growing censoriousness in ‘the culture’ feels almost intentional in its absurdity.—
Book Marks
September 11,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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The result is an absurdity that can elicit instinctual laughter at the grossest imagery imaginable.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Likewise, the airy comedy (boosted by Thomas Newman’s sprightly if familiar-sounding score) insists on the seeming incongruity between the film’s lovely setting and its darker subject matter.—
Manuel Betancourt,
Variety,
22 Aug. 2025
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In contemplating the religious system of the Aztecs, one is struck with its apparent incongruity, as if some portion of it had emanated from a comparatively refined people, open to gentle influences, while the rest breathes a spirit of unmitigated ferocity.—
Sebastian Purcell
August 18,
Literary Hub,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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According to Han, the dichotomy between the brothers’ maturity wasn’t meant to vilify Jeremiah but is actually a realistic depiction of how young men mature.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
18 Sep. 2025
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Time for Antonio Conte to deliver Antonio Conte is a manager who embodies a curious dichotomy.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irony. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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