ironically
Americanadverb
-
in a way that uses words to mean the opposite of what they normally mean, or makes an obvious exaggeration or understatement, as a joke or in order to make a point.
French author Voltaire ironically commented on war, “It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.”
-
in a way that is the opposite of what would be expected, often as a remarkable coincidence.
Ironically, one of the main messages of this text on warfare is how to avoid battle through meticulous preparation and planning.
Other Word Forms
- nonironically adverb
- semi-ironically adverb
- unironically adverb
Etymology
Origin of ironically
First recorded in 1530–40; ironical ( def. ) + -ly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some home fans left Allianz Stadium early in the Ireland match, while fly-half George Ford was ironically cheered for finding touch after two earlier botched efforts.
From BBC
With fans protesting against the club's board at the start of the game and later ironically cheering Schmeichel making a save, the atmosphere at Parkhead was far from harmonious.
From BBC
Somewhat ironically, Chan attributes the drink’s popularity to a growing contingent of customers who want to cut back on booze.
Its nonexistence is, ironically, the main thing to emerge so far from the document dump.
That rush for safety, ironically, is making consumer stocks a little riskier than normal.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
