01 a. Forced; unnatural; insincere; hence, derisive, mocking, malignant, or bitterly sarcastic; -- applied only to a laugh, smile, or some facial…
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1.
Forced; unnatural; insincere; hence, derisive, mocking, malignant, or bitterly sarcastic; -- applied only to a laugh, smile, or some facial semblance of gayety.“Where strained, sardonic smiles are glozing still, And grief is forced to laugh against her will.” — Sir H. Wotton.“The scornful, ferocious, sardonic grin of a bloody ruffian.” — Burke.
Phrases & compounds
Sardonic grin —
an old medical term for a spasmodic affection of the muscles of the face, giving it an appearance of laughter.