sarcasm

UK: /ˈsɑː^rkæzəm/ US: /ˈsɑrkæzəm/ ,(sär′kaz əm)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

sar•casm /ˈsɑrkæzəm/   n. 

1. bitter statements that mock or mean the opposite of what is said:
   [uncountable] "Oh, this is very good work,'' he said with obvious sarcasm, staring at the test grade of 55%.
2. a sharply mocking or ironical taunt:
   [countable] spent the whole evening uttering sarcasms.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sar•casm  (sär′kaz əm), n. 

1. harsh or bitter derision or irony.
2. a sharply ironical taunt;
   sneering or cutting remark:
   a review full of sarcasms.

• Greek sarkasmós, derivative of sarkázein to rend (flesh), sneer; see sarco-
• Late Latin sarcasmus
• 1570–80

Synonyms

• 1. sardonicism, bitterness, ridicule. See irony ¹.
• 2. jeer.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sarcasm / ˈsɑːkæzəm/ noun

1. mocking, contemptuous, or ironic language intended to convey scorn or insult
2. the use or tone of such language

Etymology: 16th Century: from Late Latin sarcasmus, from Greek sarkasmos, from sarkazein to rend the flesh, from sarx flesh