sarcasm

[sahr-kaz-uh m] /ˈsɑr kæz əm/
noun
1.
harsh or bitter derision or irony.
2.
a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark:
a review full of sarcasms.
Origin
1570-80; < Late Latin sarcasmus < Greek sarkasmós, derivative of sarkázein to rend (flesh), sneer; see sarco-
Related forms
supersarcasm, noun
Synonyms
1. sardonicism, bitterness, ridicule. See irony1 . 2. jeer.
Examples from the web for sarcasm
  • Now and then there was a touch of sarcasm in his voice.
  • Her sarcasm searched the ranks of the officials with the deadly and unsparing precision of a machine-gun.
  • All the cynicism, sarcasm and general hatred for mankind you think you have they possess in their little fingers.
  • sarcasm from the pig ignorant has never been amusing.
  • When the first response is sarcasm, it must mean you really have nothing to contribute.
  • Please try doing this without listing all the reasons why you do not believe and without snark or sarcasm.
  • Not helpful, to me, is the sarcasm and put-down language.
  • The sarcasm seemed to fly right over your pointed heads.
  • Perhaps the cynics can find some time to answer some real research questions instead of repeating the same old sarcasm.
  • Yes, there was a lot of sarcasm in my last two posts, but they were fun.
British Dictionary definitions for sarcasm

sarcasm

/ˈsɑːkæzəm/
noun
1.
mocking, contemptuous, or ironic language intended to convey scorn or insult
2.
the use or tone of such language
Word Origin
C16: from Late Latin sarcasmus, from Greek sarkasmos, from sarkazein to rend the flesh, from sarx flesh
Word Origin and History for sarcasm
n.

1570s, sarcasmus, from Late Latin sarcasmus, from late Greek sarkasmos "a sneer, jest, taunt, mockery," from sarkazein "to speak bitterly, sneer," literally "to strip off the flesh," from sarx (genitive sarkos) "flesh," properly "piece of meat," from PIE root *twerk- "to cut" (cf. Avestan thwares "to cut"). Current form of the English word is from 1610s. For nuances of usage, see humor.

sarcasm in Culture

sarcasm definition


A form of irony in which apparent praise conceals another, scornful meaning. For example, a sarcastic remark directed at a person who consistently arrives fifteen minutes late for appointments might be, “Oh, you've arrived exactly on time!”