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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wry
There is awe, and sadness, and regret, and wry humor.
—
Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
The queen had a wry sense of humor and enjoyed Angela’s wit and her habit of playfully teasing other courtiers.
—Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026
And yet, the wry grimaces that followed said the quiet part out loud.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
The wry commentary eventually curdled into ironic prophecy, as Keynes became one of those defunct economists.
—Megan McArdle, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
The queen had a wry sense of humor and enjoyed Angela’s wit and her habit of playfully teasing other courtiers.
—Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026
And yet, the wry grimaces that followed said the quiet part out loud.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
The wry commentary eventually curdled into ironic prophecy, as Keynes became one of those defunct economists.
—Megan McArdle, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wry
Adjective
-
In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Peters then offered a sarcastic parting line and left the set.—
Ryan Brennan
April 15,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At the same time as Panama’s government is earning more money from the newly brisk business in the canal, its shipping industry is being confronted by the geopolitical struggle in the same way as those of other countries.—
Alma Solis,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The show, said to have been pared down to a brisk hour or so of celebrity walk-ons and sizzle-reel clips, will be held at Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden, which has served as TNT’s upfront stage since 2014.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Dense rows of Xs in the background suggest barbed wire.—
Ben Davis,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The barbed fact is that the woman caught in the middle of this unusual male arrangement benefits from none of their newfound emotional enlightenment.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Senate Bill 6-D, one of the cynical subjects of this special session, would have further weakened Florida’s childhood vaccination rates, which have already sunk too low.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Both Angela Ingersoll, who played the ever-hopeful Sally, and Michelle Duffy, as the cynical realist Phyllis, pulsed with vivacious energy, playing across from Rapp’s sardonic take on wound-tight Ben and Wallem’s deeply sad exploration of Buddy.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The tracks are more vulnerable, biting, and self-aware than ever, and in some cases, feature lyrics pulled right out of Hjelt’s diary.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The 2019 image of the peanut-chomping envoy quickly went viral, begetting a biting social-media hashtag: #LordCacahuates (Lord Peanuts).—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With tricky remaining fixtures, that 38 per cent probability could very easily increase by next week, but Nuno’s side will be keen to keep their destiny in their own hands for as long as possible.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In London, other performance brands went to lengths to emphasize that their products aren’t just for runners and athletes, but for anyone keen to move and support those involved.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Another entry in our recent deluge of ironic gorefests, Over Your Dead Body doesn’t really give us anything new, although for its first half at least, the picture gets by on some verve and a modicum of intelligence.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
-
That’s more than a little ironic, given that the start-up’s entire proposition revolves around trust.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Browns, which are usually but not always brown, include spent perennials, dry leaves, cut-up (undyed) leather, twigs, paper and straw.—
Jessica Damiano,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Much of Culebra is now protected under the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, which preserves mangroves, dry forest, and charming coastal habitats used by seabirds and marine life.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wry. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
