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
From time to time over the years, polls and pollsters have piqued the wit and wry humor of many cartoonists.
—
W. Joseph Campbell, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
But though there are wry laughs to be had, from the exquisite awkwardness of the setup alone, Babygirl was received by many as a comedy, which trivializes the extraordinary atmosphere that Reijn creates.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2024
Though the subject matter is serious, the execution is wry, especially when Martin’s mother Linda (Lisa Kudrow, sharply hilarious) chimes in.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2024
Through a Zoom screen, King radiates compassion and attunement, and Faber is wry and delightfully discursive; both seem like the mom whose house everybody would hang out at after school.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for wry
W. Joseph Campbell, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
But though there are wry laughs to be had, from the exquisite awkwardness of the setup alone, Babygirl was received by many as a comedy, which trivializes the extraordinary atmosphere that Reijn creates.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2024
Though the subject matter is serious, the execution is wry, especially when Martin’s mother Linda (Lisa Kudrow, sharply hilarious) chimes in.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2024
Through a Zoom screen, King radiates compassion and attunement, and Faber is wry and delightfully discursive; both seem like the mom whose house everybody would hang out at after school.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for wry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wry
Adjective
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While Lucie is warm, vivacious, and a ray of light that shines off the page, Aiden is a grumpy, reluctant romantic who hides behind sarcastic quips.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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For instance, a sarcastic comment brushed off as a joke, or unspoken expectations that fuel resentment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Because of this, the BF tends to prefer a setting around ISO 400 and very brisk shutter speeds in bright conditions.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
14 Mar. 2025
-
At a Brisk Walking Pace (4 mph) At a brisk walking pace of 4 miles per hour, 10,000 steps (5 miles) would take about 75 minutes, or 1.25 hours.—
Emily Brown, MPH,
Verywell Health,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
There were no trees nearby, just rows and rows of tan and olive-green tents erected on cement and surrounded by airport hangars, porta-potties, barbed wire, and guard towers.—
Edwidge Danticat,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
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Additionally, the walls were covered in barbed wire, and the balcony had a large privacy wall.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
TIME,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Some who do have a cynical view — asking what good was it for people to risk that bridge crossing for Black freedom when young Black people are killing one another in Selma today?—
Marisa Peñaloza,
NPR,
9 Mar. 2025
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The cynical, trend-chasing marketing executive Maya (Kathryn Hahn, playing refreshingly against type) makes Matt look principled by contrast.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Chad and Darlene confide in each other and bond, a little too closely, over their similar biting humor.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2025
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The following day, during an episode on his Never Shut Up podcast and YouTube show, Wiley compared Clark’s remarks in reaction to Jackson’s defeat to his more biting words following Allen’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in last year’s NFL Divisional Playoff Round.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Honda, for example, is looking into similar technology, though other automakers haven’t been as keen, perhaps in part because demand for EVs has recently slowed.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
12 Mar. 2025
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While Gen Z has been characterized by some hiring teams as more difficult to train and less likely to be a team player, the younger generation is actually more keen to return to the office than others might suspect.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Roger Craig Smith has a fear of being on a ledge, which is ironic considering he’s renowned for featuring in Assassin’s Creed, a gaming franchise that makes players climb around on very high rooftops.—
Joshua Lamb,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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Brighton repeatedly exploited City’s weakness defending these situations — ironic for a team who built their success on scoring from such moves.—
Andy Naylor,
The Athletic,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Hydrate mask for dry and thirsty hair: on sale for $11 Original price: $22 (Ulta) Sick of dry and brittle hair?—
Christopher Murray,
Fox News,
19 Mar. 2025
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According to Meteorologist Doug Kahn, a strong low pressure system rotating in the northern Plains collided with warm, moist air from the Gulf, while on its backside, cold, dry air was being funneled down.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wry. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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