What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ironical
Example
It's ironical that the firefighter's house burned down. [ironical: adjective]
Example
Oh great, another rainy day in sunny California. How ironical. [ironical: adverb]
Example
She said 'I love getting stuck in traffic' with an ironical tone. [ironical: adjective]
satirical
Example
The satirical cartoon made fun of the politician's hypocrisy. [satirical: adjective]
Example
The comedian's satirical jokes about current events were hilarious. [satirical: adjective]
Example
The article was a satirical take on the absurdity of modern dating. [satirical: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Satirical is more commonly used than ironical in everyday language. Satirical is often used in a context of social commentary and is frequently employed in works of art or literature. Ironical is less common and is often used to describe a specific situation or statement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ironical and satirical?
Both ironical and satirical are typically associated with an informal and casual tone. However, satirical can also be used in a more formal context, such as in academic writing or political discourse, to describe a critique of society or culture.
