ironic

I

(Roget's IV) modif.

1. [ Said of events, works, statements, and the like ]

Syn. ironical, paradoxical, contradictory, incongruous, satiric, satirical, wry, sardonic, sarcastic, mocking, humorous, facetious, tongue-in-cheek, ambiguous, double-edged, equivocal, nonliteral, subtle, dry, unexpected, implausible, ridiculous, exaggerated, twisted, critical, cynical, sneering, chaffing, derisive, caustic, biting, cutting, trenchant, incisive, mordant, scathing, pungent, bitter, spicy, acrid, jibing, disparaging, uncomplimentary, backbiting; see also sense 2, facetious , sarcastic .

2. [ Said especially of people ]

Syn. sarcastic, sardonic, satirical, quick-witted, witty, clever, sharp, keen, quip-making, cynical, contemptuous, scornful, irreverent; see also sense 1, facetious , witty .

See Synonym Study at sarcastic .

II

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) (VOCABULARY WORD) a.

[i RON ik]

opposite of or incongruous with what is expressed or expected.

He said he loved steamed clams, but he was being ironic—clams really disgusted him.

SYN.: sarcastic, mocking, contradictory, paradoxical, double-edged, sardonic, satirical, unexpected, surprising.

ANT.: straightforward, frank, earnest

III

(Roget's Thesaurus II) adjective Marked by or displaying contemptuous mockery of others: cynic, cynical, ironical, sardonic, wry. See ATTITUDE, RESPECT.