What does satiric mean?
Satiric is an adjective describing writing, speech, art, or behavior that uses satire to criticize or ridicule. Satire commonly employs exaggeration, irony, parody, and comic inversion to expose hypocrisy, folly, vice, or social pretension. A satiric work may be funny, but its humor usually has a critical purpose rather than serving as harmless amusement. The adjective is especially associated with literature, theater, political commentary, cartoons, and film. It is related in meaning to mocking, sarcastic, and ironic, but those words do not necessarily imply the broader literary technique associated with satire. Satiric is used in both British and American English, with no major regional difference in meaning. Because satiric criticism can be deliberately provocative, it may also suggest a sharp, unsparing, or hostile edge. The related word satirical is more common in general use, while satiric often has a somewhat more literary or emphatic tone.
adjectiveCharacterized by satire; using irony, ridicule, or biting criticism to expose folly, vice, or social pretension.
- Using satire or characterized by satire, especially through irony, ridicule, or criticism of human behavior and social conventions.
- Sharply critical, mocking, or intended to expose folly, vice, or pretension.
"The film uses sharp, satiric humor to question the idealism of small-town politics."
"His satiric portrait of the publishing industry made several powerful people uncomfortable."
"The magazine published a satiric article about corporate culture and endless meetings."
Its Latin ancestor, satira, originally meant a “medley”; satiric developed into a literary style built to mix laughter with a sharp edge.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does satiric come from?
Satiric entered English in the early 17th century through French, ultimately deriving from the Latin satira. The Latin word is associated with satura, meaning a medley or mixture, and developed into the name of a literary genre characterized by ridicule and criticism. English later produced related forms such as satire, satirist, satirize, and satirical, all sharing the same cultural and linguistic ancestry.
Related word forms
How satiric is actually used
Satiric is somewhat more literary and formal than the related adjective satirical. It commonly suggests a comic but pointed critique, although the criticism can be harsh or politically charged.
Easily confused with satiric
Satiric refers broadly to the critical and comic methods of satire, whereas sardonic emphasizes a contemptuous, often mocking tone.