variants or satirical

Synonym Chooser

How is the word satiric different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of satiric are ironic, sarcastic, and sardonic. While all these words mean "marked by bitterness and a power or will to cut or sting," satiric implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation.

a satiric look at contemporary society

When can ironic be used instead of satiric?

Although the words ironic and satiric have much in common, ironic implies an attempt to be amusing or provocative by saying usually the opposite of what is meant.

made the ironic observation that the government could always be trusted

When would sarcastic be a good substitute for satiric?

In some situations, the words sarcastic and satiric are roughly equivalent. However, sarcastic implies an intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting, or ridiculing.

a critic known for his sarcastic remarks

Where would sardonic be a reasonable alternative to satiric?

The meanings of sardonic and satiric largely overlap; however, sardonic implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression.

surveyed the scene with a sardonic smile

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of satiric Neither damning nor satiric, W. is oddly wistful, almost regretful — rare sentiments in a Stone film. Will Leitch, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2024 Peppiatt not only makes drug humor seem joyfully silly again, but treats Irish patriotism as a tempting high worth celebrating; there’s a tough and satiric love at play. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2024 This satiric sequel comes close to extending the joke too far, and the plot-starting death of Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) is a lazy-rude contrivance. Nick Romano, EW.com, 26 July 2024 Herzog’s adaptation prunes away the expository overgrowth of Ibsen’s satiric drama. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for satiric 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for satiric
Adjective
  • The comment quickly spread like wildfire online, causing much confusion about if his comment was sarcastic or a dig at the country crooner.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 22 Nov. 2024
  • While the main cast all reprised their roles, Rapp’s Leighton Murray, the ultra-wealthy, sarcastic sorority girl whose journey of self-discovery was central to the first two seasons, is bidding her farewell.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Her awful journey is a raging scream against the patriarchy and a biting critique of how women are viewed, especially by other women.
    The Week US, theweek, 17 Dec. 2024
  • As playwright, Barbot sits between them, turning the mainstream obscurity of his protagonists into a biting political point, and reflecting poignantly on the long arc of history, which sure seems to take its sweet time bending toward justice.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • One woman applied a dolphin design to her face; one of the men in the group got a barbed wire design running across his neck; while the pick of the bunch saw another of the guys opt for an Illuminati-style pyramid tattoo on his forehead.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Under the glaring sun, people poured toward the notorious facility north of Damascus, as traffic stretched for miles and some left their cars to walk the last stretch uphill, past barbed wire fences and watchtowers.
    Clarissa Ward, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Small business owners tend to lean Republican and the sharp increase in confidence had been widely anticipated by economists.
    Lucia Mutikani, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
  • BeReal, the social media app that championed authenticity, has been in sharp decline since its explosive growth in 2022.
    Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 11 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near satiric

Cite this Entry

“Satiric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/satiric. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on satiric

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