wrier

UK: /ˈraɪə/ US: (rī′ər)

From wry (adj):

wrier

adj comparative

wriest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

wri•er  (rī′ər), adj. 

1. comparative of wry. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

wrier, wryer / ˈraɪə/ adjective

1. the comparative of wry

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

wry /raɪ/   adj., wri•er, wri•est. 

1. twisted out of shape or contorted, as the facial features when expressing displeasure:
   a wry grin.
2. bitingly or bitterly ironic or amusing:
   a wry tale about the loss of innocence.

ˈwry•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

wry  (rī), adj., wri•er, wri•est. 

1. produced by a distortion or lopsidedness of the facial features:
   a wry grin.
2. abnormally bent or turned to one side;
   twisted;
   crooked:
   a wry mouth.
3. devious in course or purpose;
   misdirected.
4. contrary;
   perverse.
5. distorted or perverted, as in meaning.
6. bitterly or disdainfully ironic or amusing:
   a wry remark.

• 1515–25; adjective, adjectival use of wry to twist, Middle English wryen, Old English wrīgian to go, strive, tend, swerve; cognate with Dutch wrijgen to twist; akin to Old English wrigels, Latin rīcula veil, Greek rhoikós crooked

wry′ly, adv. 
wry′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. awry, askew.

Antonyms

• 2. straight.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

wry / raɪ/ adjective (wrier, wriest, wryer, wryest)

1. twisted, contorted, or askew
2. (of a facial expression) produced or characterized by contorting of the features, usually indicating dislike
3. drily humorous; sardonic
4. warped, misdirected, or perverse
5. (of words, thoughts, etc) unsuitable or wrong

verb (wries, wrying, wried)

1. (transitive) to twist or contort

Etymology: 16th Century: from dialect wry to twist, from Old English wrīgian to turn; related to Old Frisian wrīgia to bend, Old Norse riga to move, Middle Low German wrīch bent, stubborn

ˈwryly adverb

ˈwryness noun