sardonic

[ sahr-don-ik ]
/ sɑrˈdɒn ɪk /

adjective

characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering: a sardonic grin.

Origin of sardonic

1630–40; alteration of earlier sardonian (influenced by French sardonique) < Latin sardoni(us) (< Greek sardónios of Sardinia) + -an; alluding to a Sardinian plant which when eaten was supposed to produce convulsive laughter ending in death

OTHER WORDS FROM sardonic

sar·don·i·cal·ly, adverb sar·don·i·cism, noun un·sar·don·ic, adjective un·sar·don·i·cal·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for sardonic

British Dictionary definitions for sardonic

sardonic
/ (sɑːˈdɒnɪk) /

adjective

characterized by irony, mockery, or derision

Derived forms of sardonic

sardonically, adverb sardonicism, noun

Word Origin for sardonic

C17: from French sardonique, from Latin sardonius, from Greek sardonios derisive, literally: of Sardinia, alteration of Homeric sardanios scornful (laughter or smile)