What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dryly
Example
He delivered the news dryly, without any hint of emotion. [dryly: adverb]
Example
Her dryly humorous remarks were lost on the audience. [dryly: adjective]
sarcastically
Example
He sarcastically thanked his boss for giving him more work to do. [sarcastically: adverb]
Example
Her sarcastic comments made it clear she was not impressed. [sarcastic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sarcastically is more commonly used than dryly in everyday language. Sarcastically is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dryly is less common and refers to a specific style of delivery.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dryly and sarcastically?
Dryly is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, while sarcastically is more informal and often used in casual conversation or social situations.