World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesSardonic
/sɑːrˈdɒn.ɪk/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking, cynical, and sneering.
"He gave a sardonic smile as the incompetent manager tried to explain the project failure." - 2
Disdainfully or skeptically humorous.
"Her sardonic wit made her both feared and admired in the newsroom."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the ancient Greek word 'sardinios', referring to a bitter aquatic plant from Sardinia said to cause facial convulsions resembling a grin when ingested. The term entered French as 'sardonique' and then English in the late 16th century, shifting from describing physical grimaces to characterizing bitter, mocking, or cynical humor.
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10 Global Lexicons: How "Sardonic" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
sardonique
Transliteration: sardonik
"Il a lancé un sourire sardonique après ses commentaires."
sardonisch
Transliteration: zaʁˈdoːnɪʃ
"Sie antwortete mit einem sardonischen Lächeln."
sardonico
Transliteration: sarˈdɔ.ni.ko
"Il suo umorismo sardonico non piaceva a tutti."
sardónico
Transliteration: sarˈðo.ni.ko
"Hizo un comentario sardónico sobre la situación."
sardónico
Transliteration: saɾˈdɔ.ni.ku
"Ele deu um sorriso sardónico."
व्यंग्यपूर्ण
Transliteration: vyangyapurna
"उसने उसकी विफलता पर एक व्यंग्यपूर्ण मुस्कान दी।"
讽刺的
Transliteration: fěngcì de
"他脸上露出了讽刺的笑容。"
냉소적인
Transliteration: naengsojeogin
"그는 냉소적인 미소를 지었다."
冷笑的な
Transliteration: reishōteki na
"彼は冷笑的な笑みを浮かべた。"
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