Arch (Adjective)
Meaning 1
(used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- Her arch tone made it clear she didn't think much of our proposal.
- The professor's arch smile suggested he was amused by our naivety.
- The politician's arch response to the question only fueled public skepticism.
- The celebrity's arch demeanor made her seem out of touch with her fans.
- The teacher's arch comments about our work were more hurtful than helpful.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Naughtily or annoyingly playful; "teasing and worrying with impish laughter"; "a wicked prank".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The class clown was always making arch jokes at the teacher's expense.
- Her arch smile hinted that she had something sneaky up her sleeve.
- The comedian's arch humor divided the audience, with some finding it hilarious and others off-putting.
- He found her arch teasing to be both infuriating and alluring at the same time.
- With an arch glint in her eye, she planned her next wicked prank on her roommate.