sardonic
Sardonic (adjective) means Scornfully mocking or cynical. Example: “He gave a sardonic laugh when he heard the excuse.”
How to use sardonic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSardonic means mocking or scornful, often in a dryly humorous way.
Sardonic is a literary word, more common in writing than in casual speech.
A sardonic smile usually shows scorn or amusement at someone's expense, not warmth.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave a _____ laugh when he heard the excuse.
Etymology
Sardonic reached English by way of French sardonique, which in turn derives from Latin sardonius; both ultimately go back to an Ancient Greek word for bitter or scornful laughter. That Greek word is often linked to a Sardinian plant said to twist the face of anyone who ate it into a scornful grin, usually followed by death.
