ironic expression

Saying the opposite

An ironic expression is a facial look or verbal delivery that signals the speaker means something other than the literal words—typically the opposite.

The raised eyebrow, the flat tone, the pause before Oh, that's just great.

The expression cues listeners that apparent praise is actually criticism, or apparent enthusiasm masks disappointment.

Related

yeah right · oh sure · air quotes · smirk · tongue-in-cheek · eyeroll · side eye · fake smile · mocking · slow clap · wit · snark · quip · jest · satirical · cynical · biting · cutting

Opposites
sincerity

ironic expressionplain speech

Unembellished verbal expression

straight talk · true confession

rhetorical mode

ironic expressionplain language

Easily understood communication

direct speech · declarative sentence

emotional transparency

ironic expressionopen admission

Accepting all applicants

Family

ironic, iron, irony, ironies, ironically, ironist, express, expression, expressions

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G