Like press, half critical and mildly sarcastic (8)
I believe the answer is:
ironical
'mildly sarcastic' is the definition.
'ironical' can be an answer for 'sarcastic' (similar in meaning). I am unsure of the 'mildly' bit.
'like press half critical' is the wordplay.
'like press' becomes 'iron' (ironing is a kind of pressing. I am not sure about the 'like' bit.).
'half' indicates taking half.
'critical' with half the letters taken is 'ical'.
'iron'+'ical'='IRONICAL'
'and' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ironical that I've seen before include "Perversely humorous" , "With humorously opposite meaning" , "skittish" , "Using mild sarcasm to imply a meaning other than the literal one" , "Socratic method of discussion, professing ignorance" .)