as in contradiction
a situation that is strange or funny because things happen in a way that seems to be the opposite of what is expected
We got a good chuckle seeing their tow truck being towed away, but our friends failed to see the irony.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of irony
At the time of the claim, there was plenty of online commentary about the irony of the Oilers having to take on a waiver player from the Blues.
—
Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 17 May 2025
In a twist of irony, Epic Games’ Fortnite will return to the iOS App Store this week after almost five years of absence — though with a creative workaround.
—Jackie Snow, Quartz, 12 May 2025
The irony is that Janine working in Jezebel’s has brought back some of her spark.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
That is, of course, the irony, since those smaller markets are the very ones that PBS was intended to serve when it was created.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for irony
Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 17 May 2025
In a twist of irony, Epic Games’ Fortnite will return to the iOS App Store this week after almost five years of absence — though with a creative workaround.
—Jackie Snow, Quartz, 12 May 2025
The irony is that Janine working in Jezebel’s has brought back some of her spark.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
That is, of course, the irony, since those smaller markets are the very ones that PBS was intended to serve when it was created.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for irony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irony
Noun
-
On June 6, Venus enters Taurus and your relationship zone, encouraging you to make space for contradiction.—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
30 May 2025
-
By contemporary standards, Hoefnagel is a study in contradictions.—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
One parent judge loves these stacking cups for their endless amusement.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
22 May 2025
-
Cruise also got a lot of props for once again putting his life on the line for our amusement.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
The omnichannel paradox presents a core challenge for multichannel marketers.—
Seraj Bharwani,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
As a result, Mexicans face the paradox that giving more power to the public may undercut their democracy.—
Jack Nicas,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
Delving deep into sublime absurdity, Elster transmuted Bowie into a broad range of peculiar characters.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
Mara opted to stay in her lane as a dramatic star to ground the absurdity of the film, including the antics between Robinson and Paul Rudd onscreen.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Already concerned about the incongruity of having a comic yukking it up with what was happening with the AP and other outlets, the WHCA scrapped her.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2025
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Kirby’s incongruity is terrifying, so said someone much wiser than me.—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Noun
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This dichotomy of leadership styles could prove instrumental in a locker room filled with rookies and rising stars.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
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Encapsulating the dichotomy of genre, SINNERS explores perceptions of the blues and gospel music, which are identical sonically—but wrestle in connotation as blues was once deemed the devil’s music.—
Nia Shumake,
Essence,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irony. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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