sarcasm means use of acerbic language to mock or convey contempt, often using verbal irony and (in speech) often marked by overemphasis and sneering. It carries an Arena rating of 1664, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, sarcasm ranks #904 of 17,052 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #2,744 of 17,052 for Most Ingenious Words, #3,210 of 17,052 for Most Vivid Words, #3,928 of 17,052 for Most Storied Words.
sarcasm is pronounced /ˈsɑːɹˌkæzəm/.
Why “sarcasm” is a great word
A cutting, ironic remark whose literal meaning is inverted to deliver mockery or scorn. It stems from Late Latin sarcasmus, from Ancient Greek σαρκασμός (sarkasmós, “a sneer”), from σαρκάζω (sarkázō, “to gnash the teeth, to strip off the flesh”), from σάρξ (sárx, “flesh”). Unlike “irony” (a neutral, structural contrast between said and meant) or “satire” (a sustained, formal critique of folly), sarcasm is a weaponized, often personal, flick of the blade. It is the glacial “great job” for a spilled drink, the colleague’s “brilliant strategy” for a catastrophic mistake, the lover’s “oh, you’re so sorry” in reply to an apology—each syllable a civilized, precise gnash of teeth against the raw meat of human exchange.
Etymology
From Late Latin sarcasmus, from Ancient Greek σαρκασμός (sarkasmós, “a sneer”), from σαρκάζω (sarkázō, “to gnash the teeth (in anger)”, literally “to strip off the flesh”), from σάρξ (sárx, “flesh”).
noun
- Use of acerbic language to mock or convey contempt, often using verbal irony and (in speech) often marked by overemphasis and sneering.
- An individual act of the above.
Words closest in meaning
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