Word
sarcastically
Phoneticssar·cas·ti·cal·ly
US/sɑɹˈkæstɪkɫi/
UK/sɑːkˈɑːstɪkli/
Definition
adv. to say something in a way that is not serious and is meant to be funny or to show you do not believe what you are saying.
adv. in a manner that is intentionally ironic or mocking, often to express a lack of sincerity or to convey a negative attitude.
Examples
“He thanked me sarcastically for my help.”
“She responded to the bad news with a sarcastically cheerful comment to hide her frustration.”
“The politician's sarcastically dismissive remarks regarding the economic crisis were intended to undermine his opponent's credibility, though they only served to alienate the very voters he hoped to win over.”
Examples
simple
“He thanked me sarcastically for my help.”
contextual
“She responded to the bad news with a sarcastically cheerful comment to hide her frustration.”
complex
“The politician's sarcastically dismissive remarks regarding the economic crisis were intended to undermine his opponent's credibility, though they only served to alienate the very voters he hoped to win over.”
Real-World Examples
“Kim, who is serving 17 years for murder, raises his eyebrows rather sarcastically when I mention this system.” Etymology
From sarcastic + -ally.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/sarcastically