1
[ adjective ] characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is

Synonyms

ironic

Examples

"madness, an ironic fate for such a clear thinker" "it was ironical that the well-planned scheme failed so completely"

Used in print

(Robert A. Futterman, The Future of Our Cities....)

In their book American_Skyline , Christopher_Tunnard and Henry_Hope_Reed argue that Franklin_Roosevelt 's New_Deal was what made the modern suburb a possibility - a fine ironical argument , when you consider how suburbanites tend to vote .

Related terms

incongruous

2
[ adjective ] humorously sarcastic or mocking

Synonyms

ironic wry dry

Examples

"dry humor" "an ironic remark often conveys an intended meaning obliquely" "an ironic novel" "an ironical smile" "with a wry Scottish wit"

Related terms

humorous

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