ironic Hear it!

ironic definition

ironic (ī rän′ik)

adjective

  1. meaning the contrary of what is expressed
  2. using, or given to the use of, irony
  3. having the quality of irony; directly opposite to what is or might be expected
  4. marked by coincidence or by a curious or striking juxtaposition of events: regarded by many as a loose usage
Also ironical iron′i·cal

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

ironic Synonyms

ironic

modif.

  1. Said of events, works, statements, and the like

    ironical, paradoxical, contradictory, incongruous, satiric, satirical, wry, sardonic, sarcastic, mocking, humorous, facetious, tongue-in-cheek, ambiguous, double-edged, equivocal, nonliteral, subtle, dry, unexpected, implausible, ridiculous, exaggerated, twisted, critical, cynical, sneering, chaffing, derisive, caustic, biting, cutting, trenchant, incisive, mordant, scathing, pungent, bitter, spicy, acrid, jibing, disparaging, uncomplimentary, backbiting; see also sense 2, facetious, sarcastic.

  2. Said especially of people

    sarcastic, sardonic, satirical, quick-witted, witty, clever, sharp, keen, quip-making, cynical, contemptuous, scornful, irreverent; see also sense 1, facetious, witty. See syn. study at sarcastic.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

ironic Usage Examples

Preposition: that

  • man: It is ironic that the retarded man should be taken into the confidence of these supposedly normal characters.

Modifies a noun

  • twist: In an ironic twist, the actual bearer of the guns rears their head from the jungle.

Modifying Another Word

  • doubly: Their unequivocal embrace of social conformity is doubly ironic considering they kept themselves apart from others.

Infinitive complement

  • think: Therefore it's somewhat ironic to think that in later years the AD Police would require help themselves.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: It all seems rather ironic now, standing here, in the drizzle, waiting for the bus.

Preposition: in

  • view: Presumably, this was a stipulation for planning permission being granted: ironic in view of the aforementioned corrugated iron!
ironic usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"ironic." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/ironic>

APA Style

ironic. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/ironic

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