What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Sarcasm vs Sass - What's the difference?

sarcasm | sass |

As nouns the difference between sarcasm and sass

is that sarcasm is a sharp form of humor, intended to hurt, that is marked by mocking with irony, sometimes conveyed in speech with vocal over-emphasis. Insincerely saying something which is the opposite of one's intended meaning, often to emphasize how unbelievable or unlikely it sounds if taken literally, thereby illustrating the obvious nature of one's intended meaning while sass is sarcasm, backtalk, cheek.

As a verb sass is

to talk, to talk back.

sarcasm

English

Noun

  • (uncountable) A sharp form of humor, intended to hurt, that is marked by mocking with irony, sometimes conveyed in speech with vocal over-emphasis. Insincerely saying something which is the opposite of one's intended meaning, often to emphasize how unbelievable or unlikely it sounds if taken literally, thereby illustrating the obvious nature of one's intended meaning.
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=5 , passage=Although the Celebrity was almost impervious to sarcasm , he was now beginning to exhibit visible signs of uneasiness, the consciousness dawning upon him that his eccentricity was not receiving the ovation it merited.}}
  • (countable) An act of sarcasm.
  • Synonyms

    * (uncountable) derision, facetiousness, irony, ridicule, satire * (countable) taunt, gibe

    Derived terms

    * sarcastic

    sass

    English

    Noun

    (-)
  • (US) sarcasm, backtalk, cheek.
  • *
  • “Say — if you give me much more of your sass I’ll take and bounce a rock off’n your head.”
  • *
  • “Looky here — mind how you talk to me; I’m a-standing about all I can stand now — so don’t gimme no sass .”

    Derived terms

    * sassy

    Verb

    (es)
  • (US) To talk, to talk back.
  • *
  • “The duke he begun to abuse him for an old fool, and the king begun to sass back, and the minute they was fairly at it I lit out and shook the reefs out of my hind legs, and spun down the river road like a deer, for I see our chance; and I made up my mind that it would be a long day before they ever see me and Jim again.”
  • *
  • “But, good land! what did he want to sass back for? You see, it couldn’t do him no good, and it was just nuts for them.”