Satire vs. Sarcasm — What's the Difference?

Aims for social or individual improvement.

Indicates contempt or belittlement.

A genre that criticizes societal flaws.

Usually straightforward and cutting.

Found in various artistic mediums.

Common in casual interactions.

Uses humor to provoke thought.

Verbal irony to mock.

Employs irony as a tool.

Often spoken, but can be written.

Satire is a genre of the visual, literary, and performing arts, usually in the form of fiction and less frequently non-fiction, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations, government, or society itself into improvement. Although satire is usually meant to be humorous, its greater purpose is often constructive social criticism, using wit to draw attention to both particular and wider issues in society.

Sarcasm is the use of words usually used to either mock or annoy someone, or for humorous purposes. Sarcasm may employ ambivalence, although it is not necessarily ironic.

A literary work in which human foolishness or vice is attacked through irony, derision, or wit.

A cutting, often ironic remark intended to express contempt or ridicule.

The branch of literature constituting such works.

A form of wit characterized by the use of such remarks

Irony, sarcasm, or caustic wit used to attack or expose human foolishness or vice.

(uncountable) Use of acerbic language to mock or convey contempt, often using irony and (in speech) often marked by overemphasis and a sneering tone of voice.

(uncountable) A literary device of writing or art which principally ridicules its subject often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change or highlighting a shortcoming in the work of another. Humor, irony, and exaggeration are often used to aid this.

(countable) An act of sarcasm.

(countable) A satirical work.

A keen, reproachful expression; a satirical remark uttered with some degree of scorn or contempt; a taunt; a gibe; a cutting jest.

Severity of remark.

Witty language used to convey insults or scorn;

A composition, generally poetical, holding up vice or folly to reprobation; a keen or severe exposure of what in public or private morals deserves rebuke; an invective poem; as, the Satires of Juvenal.

Keeness and severity of remark; caustic exposure to reprobation; trenchant wit; sarcasm.

Witty language used to convey insults or scorn;

No, satire can employ various forms of humor and irony, not just sarcasm.

Sarcasm is the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.

Sarcasm is primarily used as a noun.

Satire aims to criticize and improve, while sarcasm aims to mock or show contempt.

Satire is primarily used as a noun.

It can be, depending on the intent and reception.

Satire is a genre that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize societal or individual flaws.

No, sarcasm can exist without any aim for societal or individual improvement.

By highlighting flaws, satire aims to provoke thought and change.

Yes, satire can be dark or serious while still aiming to criticize.

Sarcasm can be a tool within satire but is not a form of satire itself.

No, satire can be found in various artistic mediums like films, plays, and visual art.

Writers, artists, commentators, and filmmakers often use satire.

Sarcasm is commonly used in everyday language and casual interactions.

No, sarcasm can be both spoken and written.