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Sardonic vs Trenchant - What's the difference?

sardonic | trenchant |

As adjectives the difference between sardonic and trenchant

is that sardonic is scornfully mocking or cynical while trenchant is (obsolete) fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp.

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

    trenchant

    English

    Alternative forms

    * trenchaunt (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp.
  • *1663 ,
  • *:The trenchant blade, Toledo trusty, / For want of fighting was grown rusty, / And ate into itself, for lack / Of somebody to hew and hack.
  • (figuratively) Keen]]; [[bite, biting; vigorously effective and articulate; severe; as, trenchant wit.
  • *1899 ,
  • *:His eyes, of the usual blue, were perhaps remarkably cold, and he certainly could make his glance fall on one as trenchant and heavy as an axe.