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Antonyms for sardonic

Grammar : Adj
Spell : sahr-don-ik
Phonetic Transcription : sɑrˈdɒn ɪk

Definition of sardonic

Origin :
  • "apparently but not really proceeding from gaiety," 1630s, from French sardonique (16c.), from Latin sardonius (but as if from Latin *sardonicus) in Sardonius risus, loan-translation of Greek sardonios (gelos) "of bitter or scornful (laughter)," altered from Homeric sardanios (of uncertain origin) by influence of Sardonios "Sardinian," because the Greeks believed that eating a certain plant they called sardonion (literally "plant from Sardinia," see Sardinia) caused facial convulsions resembling those of sardonic laughter, usually followed by death. For nuances of usage, see humor. Earlier in same sense sardonian (1580s), from Latin sardonius. Related: Sardonically.
  • adj sarcastic
Example sentences :
  • What sardonic contempt for all things in the intricate lines about the mouth.
  • Extract from : « Night and Morning, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • "Your lordship thinks so," said Mr. Winsley with a sardonic smile.
  • Extract from : « Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • His sardonic comment brought a sudden chill to Kenneth Torrance.
  • Extract from : « Under Arctic Ice » by H.G. Winter
  • A sardonic smile crossed his face in the darkness as he thought of what he had said.
  • Extract from : « The Eternal City » by Hall Caine
  • He developed, as a consequence, that sardonic outlook upon the world.
  • Extract from : « The Lion's Skin » by Rafael Sabatini
  • A burst, from the depths of the crater, of sardonic laughter!
  • Extract from : « Astounding Stories of Super-Science, August 1930 » by Various
  • Pachmann sat for a moment longer, his lips curled in a sardonic smile.
  • Extract from : « The Destroyer » by Burton Egbert Stevenson
  • "I'm afraid you can't unfasten them, Doctor," said a sardonic voice.
  • Extract from : « The Great Drought » by Sterner St. Paul Meek
  • “To learn how to pick locks, I suppose,” he added with sardonic bitterness.
  • Extract from : « The Mirror of the Sea » by Joseph Conrad
  • Dominic, too, devoted himself to his business, but his taciturnity was sardonic.
  • Extract from : « The Arrow of Gold » by Joseph Conrad

Synonyms for sardonic

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019