satirical tone
Wry, critical voice
A satirical tone uses irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize or mock its subject—often social institutions, political figures, or human folly.
The tone signals that surface meaning shouldn't be taken at face value: The article's satirical tone made clear the author didn't actually admire the billionaire's "selfless" tax avoidance.
Writing in a satirical tone requires balance—too subtle and readers miss the critique, too heavy-handed and it becomes mere sarcasm.
- cynicalDoubting human goodness
- mockingScornfully imitating or ridiculing
- biting witCutting, incisive cleverness
- caricatureExaggerated comic depiction
- sardonicGrimly mocking
sarcasm · sharp tongue · parody · send up · lampoon · taking the piss · irreverent · biting · understatement · irony · deadpan · with a straight face · tongue-in-cheek · wry humor · raised eyebrow · mock-heroic · Voltaire · derisive