Thesaurus results for IRONY

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

irony

noun

Definition of irony next

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of irony But there’s a touch of irony to that Hollywood setting because in his daily life, the late Wilson wasn’t much of movie guy. —

Gordon Cox, Variety, 6 Jan. 2025 The irony is that, private creditor reliance on ratings, by convenience or charter, may not protect their portfolios from credit losses. —

Ann Rutledge, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 The name is an irony: There has not been true peace in Shan State for decades. —

Hannah Beech, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024 The great irony of Carter as a cautionary tale is that the thing that probably weakened his presidency the most — being an outsider who was often undermined by his own party — was the thing that stuck. —

Amelia Thomson-Deveaux, ABC News, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for irony

Recent Examples of Synonyms for irony

Noun

Brody’s characters teem with contradictions and inner hinterlands; patience gives way to explosive anger, smiles curve inward; his brow furrows articulately as any monologue.

Wendell Steavenson, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2025
Ordered thematically and chronologically, with historical ephemera accompanying artworks, the exhibition thoroughly articulates the narrative of a unique figure who nonetheless exemplified the aspirations and contradictions common to his time.

Red Cameron, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025