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
The British Music Embassy re-animated the otherwise-defunct Palm Door on Sixth, hosting confessional and wry art by breakout bands like Sarah Meth and Adult DVD.
—
Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Shot on-location last year in 35mm in Alaska, this wry and bittersweet romantic triangle centers on a terrific Fanning as Wendy, whose age-gap relationship with divorced hedge fund manager Jack (Johnson) is coming apart.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026
The story weaves together themes of loss, found family and the small mysteries that can change lives — all narrated through the wry, observant voice of a creature who may just be smarter than the humans around him.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Van Pelt’s giant Pacific octopus narrator — wry, curmudgeonly, deeply observant — is the beating heart of the book.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
Ramon Ramirez, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Shot on-location last year in 35mm in Alaska, this wry and bittersweet romantic triangle centers on a terrific Fanning as Wendy, whose age-gap relationship with divorced hedge fund manager Jack (Johnson) is coming apart.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026
The story weaves together themes of loss, found family and the small mysteries that can change lives — all narrated through the wry, observant voice of a creature who may just be smarter than the humans around him.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Van Pelt’s giant Pacific octopus narrator — wry, curmudgeonly, deeply observant — is the beating heart of the book.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wry
Adjective
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James then scrunched his face into a sarcastic, close-eyed smile.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
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Brendon was a fan favorite among the cast for his loyalty to his friends and sarcastic sense of humor.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Plan on a mostly sunny sky and brisk morning wind.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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The subjects were also asked to do two additional workouts on their own; the details were up to them, but most chose running, cycling, brisk walking, or circuits.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Page used barbed wire wrapped around a chair to bust MJF open and hit a Deadeye through a table.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 Mar. 2026
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Have Faith Haiti, with its 30-foot-tall walls, barbed wire and guard towers, looks like a prison from the outside.—
Denise Schrier Cetta,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Unfortunately, they have been taught to evaluate online communications with that cynical approach.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
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There's far more acceptance for shows trying to be different than ever before, whether the programme is cynical or hopeful in nature.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Much like the days getting longer and the air less biting, a sure harbinger that spring is coming is the 33rd annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Naperville.—
Annie Alleman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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As the nation bonded as one over the past two weeks biting nails, screaming at wins, wincing at crashes and choking up at all the beautiful moments of Olympic competition, another group of athletes were – and still are – out honing their multi-level championship skills.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Gaston’s interest in horses predated his relationship with Kathrin; her predecessor as his girlfriend was a keen rider.—
Simon Akam,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
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It’s found success among Iranians who aren’t as keen on the clerical government.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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What's ironic is that this ability to adapt and upgrade made the U-2 outlive even its own successor.—
David Szondy
March 29,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
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The wry commentary eventually curdled into ironic prophecy, as Keynes became one of those defunct economists.—
Megan McArdle,
Washington Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Though the state is seeing a surface water supply far above average, March’s heat shock has left many less confident about the fate of water supply for the upcoming dry season.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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From December to January, Loni and other cities across northern India routinely grapple with a severe spike in pollution during the cold, dry winter months.—
Esha Mitra,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wry. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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