What is SARCASM

Tuesday, September 09, 2025 10:05AM

Etymology

• From Late Latin sarcasmus, from Ancient Greek σαρκασμός (sarkasmós, “a sneer”),
• from σαρκάζω (sarkázō, “I gnash the teeth (in anger)”, literally “I strip off the flesh”), from σάρξ (sárx, “flesh”).

Noun

sarcasm

• (uncountable) Use of acerbic language to mock or convey contempt, often using irony and (in speech) often marked by overemphasis and sneering.
• (countable) An individual act of the above.

Usage notes:

Because sarcasm and irony often go together, people often use sarcasm to refer to irony. Strictly speaking, an ironic statement is one that means the opposite of its content, and a sarcastic statement is an acerbic or sardonic one. To distinguish the two, joyfully saying "Oh my gosh, I hate you!" to sincerely congratulate one's best friend on their good fortune is ironic, but not sarcastic; saying, "I'm not a mind reader, okay?" is sarcastic, but not ironic.

Synonyms

• (uncountable): derision, facetiousness, irony, ridicule, satire
• (countable): taunt, gibe

Derived terms:

sarcasm detector

sarcasm-impaired

sarcastic

snarkasm

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sarcasm

Tuesday, September 09, 2025 10:06AM