"with a wry smile" vs "with a wry tone"

Question

"with a wry smile" vs "with a wry tone"

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'With a wry smile' indicates a facial expression, while 'with a wry tone' refers to the way someone speaks. They are not directly comparable as they describe different aspects of communication.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

This phrase is used to indicate that someone is smiling in a way that shows they find something amusing in a slightly ironic or mocking manner.

Examples:

He looked at her with a wry smile, knowing she was joking.
She greeted him with a wry smile, hinting at her skepticism.
With a wry smile, he accepted the award, knowing it was undeserved.

Alternatives:

with a sardonic smile
with a sarcastic smile
with a mocking smile
with a dry smile
with a cynical smile

This phrase is used to indicate that someone is speaking in a way that conveys irony, sarcasm, or dry humor.

Examples:

She replied with a wry tone, making it clear she didn't believe him.
His comment was delivered with a wry tone, causing everyone to chuckle.
With a wry tone, he recounted the events of the day, adding his own humorous twist.

Alternatives:

with a sarcastic tone
with an ironic tone
with a dry tone
with a sardonic tone
with a mocking tone

Answer 1

with a wry smile

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe someone smiling in a sarcastic or mocking way.

Answer 2

with a wry tone

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe the way someone speaks in a dry, ironic, or sarcastic manner.

"with a wry smile" vs "with a wry tone"

with a wry smile

with a wry tone

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