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sardonic

Pronunciation: /sɑːˈdɒnɪk/
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Definition of sardonic

adjective

  • grimly mocking or cynical:Starkey attempted a sardonic smile

Derivatives

sardonically

adverb

sardonicism

Pronunciation: /-sɪz(ə)m/
noun

Origin:

mid 17th century: from French sardonique, earlier sardonien, via Latin from Greek sardonios 'of Sardinia', alteration of sardanios, used by Homer to describe bitter or scornful laughter

sardonic in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of sardonic in the US English dictionary
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