How to pronounce sardonically
Say it like sar-DAH-nih-kuh-lee. Sardonically has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sardonically. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- sar
- DAH
- nih
- kuh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sardonically pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sarKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- DAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- nihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of sardonically
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: sah-DON-ih-kuh-lee.
What does sardonically mean?
- In a sardonic manner.
Where does sardonically come from?
From sardonic + -ally.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- cynically
- mockingly
- sarcastically
Words that rhyme with sardonically
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sardonically.
Questions about saying sardonically
How do you pronounce sardonically?
Say sar-DAH-nih-kuh-lee. The American pronunciation is /sɑrˈdɑnɪkəli/. In British English it is /sɑːˈdɒnɪkəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sardonically?
Sardonically has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DAH). Broken into parts: sar · DAH · nih · kuh · lee.
Is sardonically pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /sɑːˈdɒnɪkəli/ (sah-DON-ih-kuh-lee).