acerbic
8
8.2
- adjective
- /əˈsɜrbɪk/
:
acerbo
- His frustration with his life has tinged his sense of humor with an acerbic bite.
- the most acerbic
But he, he had a kind of acerbic wit, you know, when it came to things.
- But he, he had a kind of acerbic wit, you know, when it came to things.
- He was really a, a, a brilliant man, but he was also, let's say, somewhat acerbic and, and rude.
- Yes, she had a lot of attitude, she was feisty, she was funny, and she could be quite acerbic at times.
- And I do agree that that character being too like, like acerbic or unlikeable would have been like a mistake.
- The siloed, you know, kind of tribal wars that are going on right now are so emotional and acerbic.
- Now we get a very funny response from Pratchett in an interview that's become quite famous for how acerbic his response is.
- And she was kind of acerbic and a great sense of humor and, and all that.
- Dowd in acerbic terms, which I will quote in more full terms in a moment.
Examples
-
Beijing's confident insecurity: What explains the acerbic turn in Beijing's foreign policy?
Academic text (2011) -
Vocal and articulate critics of the new commercial roadside salted popular journals and papers with acerbic rebukes.
Academic text (1998) -
No man wants to date a woman that comes off in a hostile or acerbic fashion.
Blog text (3) -
We are so divided, and the conversations have become so acerbic and bitter.
Blog text (31) -
I will always remember laughing a lot with him, as we both shared an acerbic, wisecracking sense of humor.
Blog text (6) -
He was really a, a, a brilliant man, but he was also, let's say, somewhat acerbic and, and rude.
-
You always look so disarming in photos, but the world really benefits from your acerbic wit and acid tongue.
Blog text (28) -
In Sao Paulo, the PRN candidate for senator was Ferreira Netto, an acerbic right-wing social columnist and TV talk-show host.
Academic text (1991) -
Her acerbic remarks during the meeting left everyone feeling uncomfortable and chastised.
-
The critic's acerbic review of the film highlighted its many flaws with sharp and biting language.
Synonyms
360
2.5
Feeling or showing strong anger and hurt
46
4.2
Harsh critical words or actions that hurt others
19
7.7
Very strong, harsh criticism that hurts or shocks people
18
6.5
Showing little concern for other people's feelings
10
9.3
Harsh, angry words that strongly hurt someone
9
7.4
Being very sharp and unkind in speech or writing
9
8.4
Full of angry, bitter words in a speech or argument
7
8.4
Very harsh and full of hate in speech or writing
7
7.1
Expressing harsh, biting criticism that hurts people or their confidence
5
7.0
Very harsh words or writing that attack someone
3
8.2
Language that uses clear, strong words to criticize ideas
2
9.9
Using very angry and insulting words to attack someone
2
6.5
Sharp, biting words that can hurt or shock people
1
8.7
Expressing sharp, often ironic criticism that can feel harsh
1
5.9
Having a sharp, sour taste or smell
1
7.5
A harsh, bitter way of speaking that shows anger or criticism
1
7.0
Said in a sharp, hurtful way to criticize someone
1
6.7
A sharp, biting remark that hurts or criticizes
1
9.9
Having a sharp, unfriendly tone that criticizes others
Very critical and hurtful in speech or writing
Harsh or hurtful in a way that makes someone feel upset
Quick to say sharp things that hurt
Saying harsh words to criticize someone or something
Harsh angry speech or writing that strongly criticizes people
Saying harsh, mean things that hurt people
Antonyms
How Harsh
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Acerbic comes from the Latin words acerbus 'harsh' and acer 'sharp'. So an acerbic remark feels sharp and cutting, like something that 'bites' the person who hears it.