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Quizzical vs Sardonic - What's the difference?

quizzical | sardonic |

As adjectives the difference between quizzical and sardonic

is that quizzical is questioning or suggesting puzzlement while sardonic is scornfully mocking or cynical.

quizzical

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Questioning or suggesting puzzlement.
  • Strange or eccentric.

    • sardonic

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Scornfully mocking or cynical.
    • He distances himself from people with his nasty, sardonic laughter.
  • * Sir H. Wotton
    • strained, sardonic smiles
  • * Burke
    • the scornful, ferocious, sardonic grin of a bloody ruffian
  • Disdainfully or ironically humorous.

    • Related terms

    * Sardonian