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acidly

acidly

1 5.1
In a sharp, rude way that shows sarcasm
  • adverb
  • /ˈæsɪdli/
: ácidamente
  • "The parody, Hitchens acidly remarks, is so much better than anything that W. Somerset Maugham ever wrote himself."
  • remarked acidly

Examples

  • "Not since they got here from Africa a couple of hundred years ago," I said acidly.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • When Bogdanich legitimately queried Wachtell's use of the term "outside nicotine" in a question, Wachtell remarked acidly, "Well, we do have a problem, don't we?"

    Academic text (1995)
  • "I was just about to ask you the same thing," she said acidly.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • "Because I drove two men mad with my beauty and cannot make up my mind," she told him acidly.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "So let me get this straight, Miss Kingsley," he said acidly.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • "None of it seems to have penetrated," she said acidly.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • "Who made you the voice of reason?" Ho Ng asked, acidly.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • "And how many others do you love, Elysoun?" Berit asked her acidly.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The town of Marbella itself was still full of people, but they weren't the right people anymore, Liddy thought acidly.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "I hope you are happy now," she said acidly when she had finished.

Synonyms

harshly
vsacidly
45 3.5

In a severe or unkind way that feels unpleasant

is more pointedly sarcastic rather than generally severe
sharply
vsacidly
39 2.8

In a harsh, angry way when speaking to someone

adds sharp sarcasm and harsh tone beyond plain aggression
sourly
vsacidly
3 6.4

In a way that shows anger or dislike

is more openly sarcastic rather than only resentful
sardonically
vsacidly
2 8.4

In a mocking, bitter way that shows strong dislike

is harsher and more openly cutting than mere irony
nastily
vsacidly
2 5.1

In an unpleasant, angry, or mean way

is more focused on sarcastic sharpness than general nastiness
tartly
vsacidly
2 7.1

In a sharp, slightly angry way that can hurt people's feelings

carries stronger sarcasm than mere cutting sharpness
scathingly
vsacidly
1 7.9

Saying something in a very harsh and critical way

is more sarcastic and less purely condemning in tone
rankly
vsacidly
1 7.8

In a very strong and unpleasant way that is easy to notice

is more about cutting sarcasm than blunt offensiveness
venomously
vsacidly
  • Formal
1 8.2

Saying or doing things with very strong anger and hate toward someone

is more sarcastic and less driven by pure hatred
caustically
vsacidly
1 8.2

In a sharply critical way that can hurt someone's feelings

is more about ironic mockery than corrosive attack
mordantly
vsacidly
  • Formal
1 8.8

In a sharp, often cruel way that can hurt people when joking or criticizing

leans more toward direct sarcasm than wry irony
acerbically
vsacidly
1 8.1

In a sharp, hurtful way when criticizing someone

is more sarcastic and mocking than plain bitterness
with asperity
vsacidly
  • Formal
1 9.9

In a harsh, angry way that shows someone is not happy

is more sarcastic and mocking than purely severe harshness
abrasively
vsacidly
1 6.5

In a harsh, rude way that upsets people when speaking or acting

focuses more on sarcastic speech rather than general roughness
vitriolically
vsacidly
  • Offensive
1 9.9

In a very harsh and angry way that hurts people

adds mocking irony to pure scathing bitterness
cattily
vsacidly
1 8.9

Says things in a mean, slightly cruel way to hurt someone

is more openly sarcastic than quietly malicious
acrimoniously
vsacidly
1 8.1

In a bitter, angry way during a disagreement

is more sarcastic and cutting than mainly angry
waspishly
vsacidly
1 8.4

In an angry, sharp way that shows someone is annoyed

is more deliberately sarcastic rather than merely irritable
stingingly
vsacidly
1 7.7

In a sharply critical way that hurts someone's feelings

uses sarcasm more than outright emotional harm
saltily
vsacidly
1 8.1

With a strong salt taste or with sharp annoyed words

leans more toward clear sarcasm than casual irritation
acridly
vsacidly
1 8.2

In a sharp, bitter way that hurts people with words

adds more ironic mockery than purely caustic sting
vituperatively
vsacidly
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To criticise someone using very harsh, insulting words

is more about sharp sarcastic wit than primary abuse
astringently
vsacidly
  • Formal
1 8.1

In a sharp, harsh way that shows strong criticism

adds a mocking sarcastic edge to plain severity
mordaciously
vsacidly
  • Formal
9.9

In a very sharp and hurtful way that criticizes others

shows more mocking sarcasm rather than only harsh bite
toothily
vsacidly
9.3

Speaking or acting in a harsh, biting way

is more sarcastic and less purely aggressive in focus

How Harsh

bitingly
1 7.4
acerbically
1 8.1
acidly
1 5.1
sharply
39 2.8
firmly
106 1.0
gently
324 1.0

Surface Forms

acidly positive

Morphology

acidly = acid (transparent) = acid + ly

Formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'acid', yielding 'in a sharp or caustic manner' which is directly predictable.

Etymology

The word acidly comes from acid, an old word meaning 'sour'. So to speak acidly is to use a 'sour', sharp tone, which is why it means saying something harsh or sarcastic.