Study for the SAT Vocabulary 2025 Test. Master vocabulary with flashcards and questions, each with detailed explanations. Get ready for your exam!

A sardonic attitude is characterized by a grimly mocking or sarcastic tone. This descriptor suggests a form of humor that is not just joking; instead, it often carries a sense of bitterness or disdain. People with a sardonic viewpoint typically express a cynical view of life and engage in a type of wit that can be cutting or biting, emphasizing the darker aspects of human experience or societal flaws. This contrasts sharply with the other options, which represent more positive, neutral, or innocent perspectives that do not capture the complex mix of irony and harshness that defines sardonicism. Therefore, the choice reflecting a grimly mocking or sarcastic attitude is accurate in conveying the essence of sardonic.