What Is Sarcasm?
Sarcasm is verbal irony with a target. It says the opposite of what it means — but the purpose is to mock, wound or diminish. It is the sharpest, most socially aggressive form of irony.
Sarcasm vs irony
All sarcasm is irony, but not all irony is sarcasm. Irony is a structural gap between expectation and reality. Sarcasm is verbal irony that is pointed — there is always a target, usually a person, behavior or situation being mocked. Irony can be gentle or neutral; sarcasm is by definition unkind.
Sarcasm vs deadpan
Deadpan humor is delivered in a flat, serious tone — but it isn't necessarily pointed or cruel. Deadpan can be absurdist, observational or even affectionate. Sarcasm usually has an edge. The two modes can overlap but their emotional registers are different. See: deadpan humor guide.
Why sarcasm is hard to read in writing
In speech, sarcasm is marked by vocal stress and tone. In text, the signals disappear. Sarcasm in writing has to be marked by context, exaggeration or shared knowledge — otherwise it looks sincere. This is partly why the /s tag exists in online communication.
Frequently asked questions
What is sarcasm?
Sarcasm is verbal irony used to mock — it says the opposite of what it means in order to criticize or belittle a target. It is sharper and more pointed than general irony.
Is sarcasm the same as deadpan?
No. Deadpan is a delivery style — flat, expressionless, serious. Sarcasm is a content mode — saying the opposite of what you mean to mock something. Deadpan can deliver sarcasm but also delivers other kinds of humor.