Meaning of ironical in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    US accent

    UK accent

  1. Classifying Adjective

    ironical

    Definitions

    1. characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is

    Examples

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

    Synonyms

  2. 2. humorously sarcastic or mocking

    Examples

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

    Synonyms

Famous quotes

  • « Any nation that thinks more of its ease and comfort than its freedom will soon lose its freedom and the ironical thing about it is that it will lose its ease and comfort too. »
    W. Somerset Maugham
  • « At home in Ireland, there's a habit of avoidance, an ironical attitude towards the authority figure. »
    Seamus Heaney

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