ironically
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
used to point out that a situation is funny or strange because it is the exact opposite of what was intended.
used as a sentence adverb to highlight a situational irony where the outcome is perversely contrary to what was expected.
Simple“Ironically, the lifeguard had to be rescued from the water after he got a cramp.”
In context“Ironically, the very technology designed to save us time often results in us spending more hours managed by our devices.”
Synonymsparadoxicallyoddly enoughAntonymspredictablyexpectedly - 02 C1 Advanced
saying something in a way that shows you do not really mean it, often to be funny or critical.
in a manner characterized by linguistic irony, where the intended meaning is the opposite of the literal expression.
Simple“He smiled ironically when she suggested that the project would be finished on time.”
In context“The critic spoke ironically about the director's 'masterpiece', making it clear through his tone that he found the film amateurish.”
Synonymssarcasticallywryly
“As Cromwell biographer Paul Lay puts it, there’s a “spectrum of puritanism” and, ironically enough, Cromwell was at the milder end of it.”
“While the cost of renewables plays a part, the principal driver for this is, ironically, gas itself.”
From ironic + -ally.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.