acerb - Glite Dictionary

Examples

Some wines, especially those with little sugar, can taste rather acerb.
The grapefruit had an acerb bite that made her wince.
He described the sauce as unexpectedly acerb due to the unripe lemons.
She found the acerb taste of the vinegar unpleasant.
The lemon had an acerb flavor that made the dish taste very sharp.
Some wines can have an acerb taste, particularly if they are not sweet.
She winced at the acerb taste of the unripe fruit.

Synonyms

bitter

vsacerb

81 1.0

Having a sharp, unpleasant taste that is not sweet

is similar but stresses a sharper, harsher flavour edge

acrid

vsacerb

8 6.7

A strong, unpleasant sharp taste or smell

can be similar but often denotes a harsher bitterness rather than pungency

acidic

vsacerb

4 3.5

Tasting sharp and sour like lemon or vinegar

emphasizes the same sourness while also noting harshness in flavor

tart

vsacerb

3 2.2

Having a sharp, sour taste like a lemon

is broader, covering both sour and bitter sharpness rather than only tartness

astringent

vsacerb

Specialized

1 7.8

A sharp sour or bitter taste that makes your mouth pucker

is more about a biting harshness than the puckering mouthfeel

vinegary

vsacerb

1 5.9

Having a sharp, sour taste or smell

covers that vinegar quality but focuses more on bitter harshness

acetic

vsacerb

Specialized

1 7.7

Having a sour, vinegar-like smell or taste

is less chemical and more about overall sharp or harsh flavor

acerbic

vsacerb

7.9

A sharp sour taste like lemon or grapefruit

is the same sense but also highlights a sharp or harsh quality

acidulous

vsacerb

9.6

Slightly sour in taste or tone

leans more toward a sharper, harsher flavor rather than mild sourness

sour-tasting

vsacerb

1.0

Tasting sharp and like lemon or vinegar

adds a harsher, more biting quality beyond simple tartness

sourish

vsacerb

3.4

Has a slightly sharp taste like lemon

is stronger and more sharply bitter or harsh than mild sourness

acetous

vsacerb

9.9

A sour taste or smell like vinegar

is less about vinegar specifically and more about general harsh bitterness

acetose

vsacerb

Archaic

9.9

Having a sharp taste or smell like vinegar

is broader, describing sour or bitter harshness beyond vinegar notes

bitterish

vsacerb

5.1

Being slightly sharp and unpleasant in taste or feeling

is stronger and more sharply bitter or harsh in flavour

embittered

vsacerb

5.3

Having a sharp, unpleasant taste like burnt or overcooked food

focuses more on a sharp or harsh flavour rather than general bitterness

Antonyms

sweet

611 1.0

Having a taste like sugar, as in candy

mild

107 1.0

Something like pain and criticism that is not very strong or serious

Compounds

acerb comment

8.7

A sharp remark that hurts or shocks people

How Sour

acerb

9.9

sour

4 1.0

tart

3 2.2

tangy

15 3.6

bland

23 2.0

Surface Forms

acerb positive

Etymology

Acerb comes from the Latin word acerbus, meaning 'sour' or 'harsh', and from acer, meaning 'sharp'. Think of a sharp, sour taste like a strong lemon or a biting comment, which is why acerb means 'sour or bitter' and 'sharp' in feeling.