sardonic-bitterness
/sɑːˌdɒn.ɪk ˈbɪt.nəs/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A bitter, mocking attitude that shows scorn. It often sounds cold, sharp, and a little cruel.
- His sardonic-bitterness made everyone feel unwelcome.
- She answered with sardonic-bitterness, not anger.
- There was sardonic-bitterness in his smile.
Adinary Nuance
Use sardonic-bitterness when the feeling is both mocking and bitter. It is stronger and colder than plain irritation, and less direct than anger. It is close to sarcasm, but it also suggests deep resentment, not just a witty remark.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự mỉa mai cay đắng
- Spanish
- amargura sarcástica
- Chinese
- 讥讽的苦涩
- Japanese
- 皮肉な苦み
- Korean
- 신랄한 비꼼
Etymology
This is a compound-like phrase built from "sardonic" and "bitterness." "Sardonic" comes from Greek and was used in English from the 17th century; "bitterness" comes from Old English.
Common phrases
sardonic-bitterness in his voicea sardonic-bitterness smilespeak with sardonic-bitterness
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is sardonic-bitterness the same as sarcasm?
- Not exactly. Sarcasm is usually a sharp, mocking remark. Sardonic-bitterness also adds resentment or emotional hurt.
- Is sardonic-bitterness formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal and literary. You may see it in essays, stories, and reviews more than in casual speech.
- Can I use sardonic-bitterness in business writing?
- Usually no. It can sound too emotional or negative for business writing.