as in sarcastic
marked by the use of clever and often dark humor
The writer had a wry wit that was something of an acquired taste.
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Recent Examples of wry
The British Music Embassy re-animated the otherwise-defunct Palm Door on Sixth, hosting confessional and wry art by breakout bands like Sarah Meth and Adult DVD.
—
Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Shot on-location last year in 35mm in Alaska, this wry and bittersweet romantic triangle centers on a terrific Fanning as Wendy, whose age-gap relationship with divorced hedge fund manager Jack (Johnson) is coming apart.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026
The story weaves together themes of loss, found family and the small mysteries that can change lives — all narrated through the wry, observant voice of a creature who may just be smarter than the humans around him.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Van Pelt’s giant Pacific octopus narrator — wry, curmudgeonly, deeply observant — is the beating heart of the book.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Shot on-location last year in 35mm in Alaska, this wry and bittersweet romantic triangle centers on a terrific Fanning as Wendy, whose age-gap relationship with divorced hedge fund manager Jack (Johnson) is coming apart.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026
The story weaves together themes of loss, found family and the small mysteries that can change lives — all narrated through the wry, observant voice of a creature who may just be smarter than the humans around him.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Van Pelt’s giant Pacific octopus narrator — wry, curmudgeonly, deeply observant — is the beating heart of the book.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wry
Adjective
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Doncic held both arms aloft in sarcastic celebration.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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As for the time difference, Shanahan was sarcastic with his response to the San Francisco Chronicle.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While the latest fusillade of ambiguity couldn’t have come at a worse time for the advertising market—brands have yet to register their budgets for the 2026-27 upfront bazaar, in which they’re expected to commit to some $17 billion in broadcast and cable inventory—early sports sales remain brisk.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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Expect plenty of sunshine and a brisk northwest wind with gusts reaching 25 to 30 mph along Marin and Sonoma ridgelines during the afternoon.—
Greg Porter,
San Francisco Chronicle,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Tangled pieces of barbed wire, reams of rubble and fallen concrete scarred the skyline in Karaj, western Iran, on Friday, after the US military bombed a major new bridge under construction.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
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The fuzzy-looking crawlers can cause irritation and a rash to anyone whose skin comes in direct contact with the barbed hairs that cover the caterpillar.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Unfortunately, they have been taught to evaluate online communications with that cynical approach.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
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There's far more acceptance for shows trying to be different than ever before, whether the programme is cynical or hopeful in nature.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Much like the days getting longer and the air less biting, a sure harbinger that spring is coming is the 33rd annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Naperville.—
Annie Alleman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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As the nation bonded as one over the past two weeks biting nails, screaming at wins, wincing at crashes and choking up at all the beautiful moments of Olympic competition, another group of athletes were – and still are – out honing their multi-level championship skills.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Gaston’s interest in horses predated his relationship with Kathrin; her predecessor as his girlfriend was a keen rider.—
Simon Akam,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
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It’s found success among Iranians who aren’t as keen on the clerical government.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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What's ironic is that this ability to adapt and upgrade made the U-2 outlive even its own successor.—
David Szondy
March 29,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
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The wry commentary eventually curdled into ironic prophecy, as Keynes became one of those defunct economists.—
Megan McArdle,
Washington Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Though the state is seeing a surface water supply far above average, March’s heat shock has left many less confident about the fate of water supply for the upcoming dry season.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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From December to January, Loni and other cities across northern India routinely grapple with a severe spike in pollution during the cold, dry winter months.—
Esha Mitra,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wry. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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