wried; wrying
: to pull out of or as if out of proper shape : make awry
1
: bent, twisted, or turned usually abnormally to one side
a wry nose
2
: made by a deliberate distortion of the facial muscles often to express irony or mockery
a wry smile
4
: cleverly and often ironically or grimly humorous
a wry wit
wryness
noun
Examples of wry in a Sentence
Adjective
His books are noted for their wry humor.
When I asked her how she felt after winning the race, she gave me a wry smile and said, “Pretty tired.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
Jenkin’s work is idiosyncratic, wry, and lush, shot on gorgeous 16mm.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025
Observations, snippets of dialogue, and wry anecdotes make up this laconic novel, which focusses on the life of a young woman in New York.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Baker wisely doesn’t attempt to write entirely in Austen’s wry style, but glimmers do peek through.
—Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wry
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Adjective
Early episodes strike a wry tone.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
Jenkin’s work is idiosyncratic, wry, and lush, shot on gorgeous 16mm.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025
Observations, snippets of dialogue, and wry anecdotes make up this laconic novel, which focusses on the life of a young woman in New York.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Baker wisely doesn’t attempt to write entirely in Austen’s wry style, but glimmers do peek through.
—Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wry
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wry. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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