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
Meanwhile, the boy protagonist—both innocent and wry, and more mature than either parent—shuttles between the two, trying to keep them from falling apart entirely.
—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
10 June 2026
The cockroach has become a wry badge of endurance and political articulation.
—
ABC News,
5 June 2026
Rams castaway Cooper Kupp still boasts an unexpected wry sense of humor.
—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
The act earned a brief pose and a wry smile from the Spurs star.
—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
10 June 2026
The cockroach has become a wry badge of endurance and political articulation.
—
ABC News,
5 June 2026
Rams castaway Cooper Kupp still boasts an unexpected wry sense of humor.
—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
The act earned a brief pose and a wry smile from the Spurs star.
—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wry
Adjective
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This is taken as evidence of his status, not a sarcastic criticism.
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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
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Studies show that orgasms also relieve menstrual pain, lower blood pressure, enhance circulation, correlate with better cardiac functioning, and burn calories equivalent to thirty minutes of brisk walking.
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The glacier carts and kiosks that dish out ice cream, soft serve and sorbets did brisk business all week.
Adjective
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The fence, as constructed, is more than 8 feet tall and is topped with a strand of barbed wire — too high for many animals to jump and dangerous for those that attempt to do so.
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Vines have grown through the fence and barbed wire surrounding a tall art deco building in this city’s downtown, and cigarette holders and empty food tins litter the tall weeds.
Adjective
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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.
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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
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So Google isn’t trying to release more biting mosquitoes into neighborhoods.
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Netflix’s big comedy bet might be the Dan Levy–Rachel Sennott co-creation Big Mistakes; the biting, farcical series about adult siblings who get caught up in the drug business plays like Weeds crossed with The Other Two.
Adjective
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He is usually reserved but has a pleasant personality and a keen sense of humor.
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The Athletic reported in April that Everton are keen for Grealish to return to the club this summer, having returned to Manchester City.
Adjective
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Such are the perils of popularity, all the more ironic because Oliver never intended to be a populist.
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In person, Huang subdues his ironic braggadocio with polite eye contact and rolling belly laughs at his own jokes.
Adjective
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In a bowl, combine all dry rub ingredients and season the ribs generously on all sides.
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Flip your cloth to a dry side and buff for that perfect, streak-free shine.
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wry. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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