as in sarcastic
marked by the use of clever and often dark humor
The writer had a wry wit that was something of an acquired taste.
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Recent Examples of wry
From time to time over the years, polls and pollsters have piqued the wit and wry humor of many cartoonists.
—
W. Joseph Campbell, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
But though there are wry laughs to be had, from the exquisite awkwardness of the setup alone, Babygirl was received by many as a comedy, which trivializes the extraordinary atmosphere that Reijn creates.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2024
Though the subject matter is serious, the execution is wry, especially when Martin’s mother Linda (Lisa Kudrow, sharply hilarious) chimes in.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2024
Through a Zoom screen, King radiates compassion and attunement, and Faber is wry and delightfully discursive; both seem like the mom whose house everybody would hang out at after school.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for wry
W. Joseph Campbell, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
But though there are wry laughs to be had, from the exquisite awkwardness of the setup alone, Babygirl was received by many as a comedy, which trivializes the extraordinary atmosphere that Reijn creates.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2024
Though the subject matter is serious, the execution is wry, especially when Martin’s mother Linda (Lisa Kudrow, sharply hilarious) chimes in.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2024
Through a Zoom screen, King radiates compassion and attunement, and Faber is wry and delightfully discursive; both seem like the mom whose house everybody would hang out at after school.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for wry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wry
Adjective
-
Seinfeld is a Jewish man from New York’s Long Island with a wry and sarcastic sense of humor.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Others lose a sense of trust by the sarcastic digs, eye rolls, interrupting, or belittling.—
Rachel Glik, Contributor,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The soccer-specific venue does brisk business with concerts and other non-sports events.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Flirting With Disaster is a brisk read, keeping readers turning the pages to find out who Meena will choose.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Mengistu, a member of Israel's Ethiopian minority, entered the territory by crossing a barbed wire fence into Gaza.—
ASSOCIATED PRESS,
TIME,
22 Feb. 2025
-
All pennies will henceforth be exiled to Guantanamo to live out their lives as former currency in orange jumpsuits, behind barbed wire, only inches from the best beaches ever.—
Barry Scott Zellen,
Hartford Courant,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
It’s packed with tough love, cathartic activities, and positive affirmations that won’t leave cynical folks rolling their eyes.—
Kristin Canning,
SELF,
25 Feb. 2025
-
It’s been cool and cynical, surreal and silly, bold enough to make adolescents of all ages feel daring for staying up past 11:30 (or catching up on YouTube the next morning) and safe enough to keep advertisers and network executives happy.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
On a recent Saturday afternoon, several thousand people gathered in Union Square, in the biting cold, for a rally in support of trans youth.—
Emily Witt,
The New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Now, 72 hours after being purged because they were considered probationary workers, a biting reality has set in for many of them.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
The Mercury News,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Rosanna Fiedler, founder of the one-year-old brand Wyld Box Jewelry, creates adornments with the artistry of a sculptor and the vision of a keen vintage jewelry connoisseur.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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As a keen music lover, Lowson decided to sing for the residents using the nursing home's karaoke kit.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Occasionally, there are moments that verge on ironic humor.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Mar. 2025
-
The concentration of risk at the federal level has some ironic results.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Here, the passage of time is measured in shifting light, the slow bend of jacaranda branches heavy with violet blooms, the way dry hills blush green after an elusive rain.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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For a shine boost: A spritz of diluted vinegar wiped with a dry microfiber cloth.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wry. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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