sardonic
/sɑːrˈdɑːnɪk/
Mocking or cynical in a grim or scornful way.
Example
He gave a sardonic smile when asked whether the plan had been a success.
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EN · C2 · LEARN
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Understand each item before testing yourself. Choose honestly whether it already feels familiar or needs practice.
/sɑːrˈdɑːnɪk/
Mocking or cynical in a grim or scornful way.
Example
He gave a sardonic smile when asked whether the plan had been a success.
Source level: C2. Practise meanings and examples. Individual senses may need a different level.
/sɑːrˈdɑːnɪk/
Mocking or cynical in a grim or scornful way.
He gave a sardonic smile when asked whether the plan had been a success.
/ˌækwiˈɛs/
To accept something reluctantly but without protest.
The committee eventually acquiesced to the revised proposal.
/ˌɪndɪˈfætɪɡəbəl/
Continuing with great effort without becoming tired or discouraged.
She was an indefatigable campaigner for access to public education.
/ˈvɪndɪˌkeɪt/
To prove that someone or something was right, justified or not guilty.
The later evidence appeared to vindicate her original decision.
/voʊˈsɪfərəs/
Expressing opinions loudly and forcefully.
A vociferous minority opposed the changes at every public meeting.
/kəˈpɪtʃəˌleɪt/
To stop resisting and accept an opponent's demands.
After weeks of pressure, the company finally capitulated to the union's main demand.
/ˈsɝːkəmˌspɛkt/
Careful to consider possible risks and consequences before acting.
Investors remained circumspect despite the encouraging quarterly results.
/ɪnˈɛfəbəl/
Too great, unusual or powerful to be expressed adequately in words.
The view from the summit filled him with an ineffable sense of awe.
/ˈhæknid/
Used so often that it has become unoriginal and ineffective.
The speech relied on hackneyed phrases rather than concrete proposals.
/ɪˈkwɪvəkəl/
Open to more than one interpretation or deliberately unclear.
The spokesperson gave an equivocal answer about the proposed merger.