# How do the terms sarcastic and sardonic differ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 4, 2005, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-terms-sarcastic-and-sardonic-differ/334080 "2005-12-04T20:50:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-terms-sarcastic-and-sardonic-differ/334080/1 "2005-12-04T20:50:14Z")
I once thought “sardonic” implied sophisticated sarcasm, but I’m guessing that isn’t quite right. Can anyone clarify? ---
**Author:** ![ms.deanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@ms.deanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ms.deanna)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-terms-sarcastic-and-sardonic-differ/334080/2 "2005-12-04T20:54:21Z")
“Sarcastic” would be a smart-ass and “sardonic” would be like sinister. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-terms-sarcastic-and-sardonic-differ/334080/3 "2005-12-04T21:03:20Z")
Well, here’s what [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com) has to say on the matter: > [@](#): > > Synonyms: sarcastic, ironic, caustic, satirical, sardonic > These adjectives mean having or marked by a feeling of bitterness and a biting or cutting quality. Sarcastic suggests sharp taunting and ridicule that wounds: “a deserved reputation for sarcastic, acerbic and uninhibited polemics” (Burke Marshall). Ironic implies a subtler form of mockery in which an intended meaning is conveyed obliquely: “a man of eccentric charm, ironic humor, andabove allprofound literary genius” (Jonathan Kirsch). Caustic means corrosive and bitingly trenchant: “The caustic jokes… deal with such diverse matters as political assassination, talk-show hosts, medical ethics” (Frank Rich). Satirical implies exposure, especially of vice or folly, to ridicule: “on the surface a satirical look at commercial radio, but also a study of the misuse of telecommunications” (Richard Harrington). Sardonic is associated with scorn, derision, mockery, and often cynicism: “He was proud, sardonic, harsh to inferiority of every description” (Charlotte Brontë). But, after reflecting on that, I still don’t see a very clear cut difference. - Peter Wiggen ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-terms-sarcastic-and-sardonic-differ/334080/4 "2005-12-04T21:09:02Z")
The way I think of it, “sardonic” means the overt, eye-rolling, “yeah right” style of sarcasm, while just plain sarcasm is more deadpan. I could be wrong though. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-terms-sarcastic-and-sardonic-differ/334080/5 "2005-12-04T21:19:30Z")
Ah here we go - this entry from [m-w.com](http://m-w.com) sheds a little light (at least for me): > [@](#): > > Main Entry: sar·cas·tic > Pronunciation: sär-'kas-tik > Function: adjective > 1 : having the character of sarcasm \ > 2 : given to the use of sarcasm : CAUSTIC \ > > - sar·cas·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb > synonyms SARCASTIC, SATIRIC, IRONIC, SARDONIC mean marked by bitterness and a power or will to cut or sting. SARCASTIC implies an intentional inflicting of pain by deriding, taunting, or ridiculing \. SATIRIC implies that the intent of the ridiculing is censure and reprobation \. IRONIC implies an attempt to be amusing or provocative by saying usually the opposite of what is meant \. SARDONIC implies scorn, mockery, or derision that is manifested by either verbal or facial expression \. Seems to me this makes sense. Sardonic describes your internal feelings - derision or scorn. Sarcastic relates to your intent to cause harm by taunting or ridiculing. That seems right to me. You wouldn’t say that you “surveyed the scene with a sarcastic smile.” Or, alternatively, “a critic famous mainly for his sardonic remarks.” … Although I probably would say the second one. Does this division - internal v. intent - make sense to anyone else? - Peter Wiggen ---
**Author:** ![JoeSki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b487fb/32.png) [@JoeSki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeSki)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-terms-sarcastic-and-sardonic-differ/334080/6 "2005-12-04T21:25:15Z")
I was under the impression that sardonic was just bitter sarcasm. I think [www.dictionary.com](http://www.dictionary.com) may have defined it that way. Makes sense in the context sardonic is usually used in ---
**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-terms-sarcastic-and-sardonic-differ/334080/7 "2005-12-05T00:48:07Z")
> [@PeterWiggen](#): > > Seems to me this makes sense. Sardonic describes your internal feelings - derision or scorn. Sarcastic relates to your intent to cause harm by taunting or ridiculing. > > That seems right to me. You wouldn’t say that you “surveyed the scene with a sarcastic smile.” Or, alternatively, “a critic famous mainly for his sardonic remarks.” … Although I probably would say the second one. > > Does this division - internal v. intent - make sense to anyone else? > > - Peter Wiggen In my OED, sarcasm says “ironically scornful language.” Sardonic says “bitterly mocking or cynical.” I think sardonic covers more than just language, but sarcasm refers to language. I read a book recently where a little girl is described as smiling sarcastically and it bothered me because I never heard of anyone smiling sarcastically before! ---
**Author:** ![ms.deanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@ms.deanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ms.deanna)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2005, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-terms-sarcastic-and-sardonic-differ/334080/8 "2005-12-05T04:18:36Z")
Ooh boy was I wrong . Don’t you hate people who don’t know what the f---- they’re talking about ?