sarcasm
gb/sˈɑɹkˌæzəm/ us/sˈɑɹkˌæzəm/
B2
English
~ 9200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
ironic speech used to mock
A way of speaking when you say something that is not really true, often the opposite of what you really think, to make fun of or hurt someone.
Usage pattern:
use sarcasm to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "sarcasm" with "irony." Irony is a wider idea and can be neutral, while sarcasm usually has a sharp or unkind feeling. Learners also sometimes say *"make a sarcasm"*; in natural English we say *"use sarcasm"* or *"be sarcastic"* instead.
Synonyms
mockery (focuses on making fun of someone or something, not specifically by saying the opposite of what you mean.)
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irony (a broader idea where the result or meaning is different from what is expected; it is not always used to hurt or criticize like sarcasm often is.)
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snark (informal; suggests clever but mean or biting sarcasm, often with a playful or hostile tone.)
Antonyms
sincerity (means saying what you really think or feel, without trying to mock or hide your true meaning.)
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earnestness (suggests a serious and honest way of speaking, with no joking or sarcastic tone.)
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praise (shows positive approval instead of using cutting or mocking language.)
Collocations
use sarcasm
|heavy sarcasm
|dripping with sarcasm
|a hint of sarcasm
|sarcasm and irony
|respond with sarcasm
Themes
communication
|emotions
|relationships
|humor
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her voice was thick with sarcasm as she thanked him for being "so helpful."
- Online sarcasm is easy to misunderstand when you cannot hear the speaker’s tone.
- He used sarcasm to hide how disappointed he really was.
- There was a note of sarcasm in his comment about the "wonderful" weather.
- The teacher warned the class that sarcasm could make the discussion feel unfriendly.
Learner examples
- I could hear the sarcasm in his words.
- She uses sarcasm when she is angry.
- Sometimes sarcasm hurts other people.
- Text messages can make sarcasm hard to understand.
- He does not like sarcasm, so please be direct with him.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sarcasm
IPA
GB/sˈɑɹkˌæzəm/
US/sˈɑɹkˌæzəm/
Syllables & stress
sar - casm (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sarcasm
- Plural: sarcasm
Word family
Core family
sarcastic
adjective B2
sarcastically
adverb B1
Expressions
a hint of sarcasm
1/ə hˈɪnt əv sˈɑɹkˌæzəm/
fixed phrase
a small amount of sarcasm
used when someone is only a little sarcastic, not very strong.
Examples
- There was just a hint of sarcasm in her voice when she said he was "a genius."
- He added a hint of sarcasm to his comment, but he did not want to be too rude.
dripping with sarcasm
1/dɹˈɪpɪŋ wˈɪθ sˈɑɹkˌæzəm/
fixed phrase
very obviously sarcastic in tone
used when a voice, comment, or reply is very clearly sarcastic.
Examples
- Her apology was dripping with sarcasm, and everyone knew she did not mean it.
- His reply, dripping with sarcasm, made the whole room go quiet.
heavy sarcasm
1/hˈɛvi sˈɑɹkˌæzəm/
fixed phrase
very strong, obvious sarcasm
used when sarcasm is strong and very easy to hear or see.
Examples
- His comment about loving Monday mornings was full of heavy sarcasm.
- The movie is funny but uses heavy sarcasm to talk about politics.
loaded with sarcasm
1/lˈoʊdɪd wˈɪθ sˈɑɹkˌæzəm/
fixed phrase
containing a lot of sarcasm
used when a sentence, reply, or tone has a lot of sarcasm in it.
Examples
- Her message was loaded with sarcasm, even though the words looked polite.
- His speech was loaded with sarcasm, and some people in the audience felt attacked.
respond with sarcasm
1/ɹɪspˈɑnd wˈɪθ sˈɑɹkˌæzəm/
fixed phrase
answer someone sarcastically
to answer a person by using sarcastic words.
Examples
- Instead of explaining calmly, he responded with sarcasm.
- She often responds with sarcasm when she feels uncomfortable.
use sarcasm
1/jˈuz sˈɑɹkˌæzəm/
fixed phrase
speak in a sarcastic way
to speak in a way that is sarcastic, often to make fun of or criticize someone.
Examples
- She tries not to use sarcasm at work because it can sound unprofessional.
- Parents sometimes use sarcasm without thinking about how their children feel.