I. (ˈ)sär|dänik, (ˈ)sȧ|d-, -nēk adjective
also sar·don·i·cal -nə̇kəl, -nēk-
Etymology: sardonic from French sardonique, from Middle French, from Greek sardonios, sardanios derisive, sardonic + Middle French -ique -ic; sardonical from French sardonique + English -al; perhaps akin to Middle Breton huersin & Welsh chwarddu to laugh
: expressive of or characterized by derision or scorn : disdainfully or skeptically humorous : cynical
got a sardonic twist to his mouth, the way of a man who feels that the breaks are against him — Mary Austin
his rebellion is the bitter, sardonic laughter of all great satirists — Franz Schoenberner
with a sardonic smile — W.S.Maugham
predominant mood was reflected in the bright and bitter humor, the sardonic portrayal of human futility — D.S.Savage
the enemy seemed to take a sardonic delight in picking Sunday for his most savage forays — Irwin Shaw
the rather sardonic aphorism that there's nothing like a pension to induce longevity — St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Synonyms: see sarcastic
II. noun
( -s )
: a sardonic expression or remark — often used in plural
light sardonics about a reprobate — Time
the advertisement — whose impish sardonics may be placed in early evidence — K.N.Cameron