ironical

[ahy-ron-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. pertaining to, of the nature of, exhibiting, or characterized by irony or mockery: an ironical smile.

   an ironical compliment;

   an ironical smile.

   Synonyms: sardonic, sarcastic

2. using or prone to irony.

   an ironical speaker.

   Synonyms: sardonic, sarcastic

Other Word Forms

• ironically adverb
• ironicalness noun
• nonironical adjective
• nonironicalness noun
• semi-ironical adjective
• unironical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ironical¹

First recorded in 1570–80; ironic + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Knight has taken the novel’s Gothic elements and smeared them over whatever was light or comical or ironical in the original.

From Los Angeles Times

“I don’t know if it’s ironical, or a blessing, but I had 20 years of experience being around disabled athletes, so I have an understanding of what’s going on,” he said.

From New York Times

“Puny and insignificant, you mean. You are dreaming, sir,—or you are sneering. For God’s sake, don’t be ironical!”

From Literature

Adams became increasingly ironical in his observations on the impotence of individuals set against the relentless movement of history — a progress toward chaos, as he saw it.

From Washington Post

"Say something ironical. Make some crack about Primo de Rivera."

From Literature