sardonic

UK: /sɑː^rˈdɒnɪk/ US: /sɑrˈdɑnɪk/ ,(sär don′ik)

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

sar•don•ic /sɑrˈdɑnɪk/   adj. 

1. characterized by scornful criticism;
   mocking bitterly:
   a sardonic grin.

sar•don•i•cal•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sar•don•ic  (sär don′ik), adj. 

1. characterized by bitter or scornful derision;
   mocking;
   cynical;
   sneering:
   a sardonic grin.

• Greek sardónios of Sardinia) + -an; alluding to a Sardinian plant which when eaten was supposed to produce convulsive laughter ending in death
• Latin sardoni(us) (
• alteration of earlier sardonian (influenced by French sardonique) 1630–40

sar•don′i•cal•ly, adv. 
sar•don′i•cism, n. 
Synonyms

biting, mordant, contemptuous.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sardonic / sɑːˈdɒnɪk/, sardonical / sɑːˈdɒnɪkəl/ adjective

1. characterized by irony, mockery, or derision

Etymology: 17th Century: from French sardonique, from Latin sardonius, from Greek sardonios derisive, literally: of Sardinia, alteration of Homeric sardanios scornful (laughter or smile)

sarˈdonically adverb

sarˈdonicism noun