caustic

Examples

• All

• At times funny, touching, and caustic, it's a hell of a good read.

  Blog text (24)

• In her low moods, she could be quite caustic about this.

  Fiction book (2001)

• Perhaps I was a bit caustic.

  Magic in the Moonlight (2014)

• In front of the camera, he turns caustic, even brutal.

  Fiction book (1994)

• The men on the patches were making caustic remarks about it.

  Fiction book (1996)

• I don't remember you being this caustic when we were younger.

  The Penthouse (2010)

• I had a math teacher who was very caustic, really had a chip on her shoulder and berated students.

• "Try." Richard Dutton's voice retained its habitual caustic edge, even though Molly knew he was making an effort to sound warm and understanding.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Reith muttered, "Who would be interested in us?" Anacho gave a bark of caustic laughter.

  Fiction book (1993)

• His caustic remarks during the meeting left everyone feeling uncomfortable.

Synonyms

B

bitter

vscaustic

351 2.5

Feeling or showing strong anger and hurt

is more deliberately biting and often uses clever mockery to wound

S

sarcastic

vscaustic

95 4.0

Using words that say the opposite of what you mean to mock or hurt someone

is harsher and more directly critical as well as ironic

S

scathing

vscaustic

29 7.7

Very strong, harsh criticism that hurts or shocks people

is more biting and often uses sharp irony rather than only attack

V

vitriolic

vscaustic

• Offensive

10 9.3

Harsh, angry words that strongly hurt someone

is equally harsh but often adds sharp wit rather than malice

A

acrimonious

vscaustic

9 8.4

Full of angry, bitter words in a speech or argument

is more focused on cutting mockery and sharp criticism rather than anger

S

sardonic

vscaustic

9 8.1

Showing mocking, bitter humor that makes fun of people

is more openly critical and biting rather than only cynical wit

C

corrosive

vscaustic

9 7.1

Expressing harsh, biting criticism that hurts people or their confidence

is similar but emphasizes cutting tone rather than lasting damage

V

virulent

vscaustic

8 8.4

Very harsh and full of hate in speech or writing

is closer to sharp irony and biting remarks than pure hostility

B

blistering

vscaustic

8 7.0

Very harsh words or writing that attack someone

is similar but usually has a sharper mocking or biting tone

S

stinging

vscaustic

8 6.3

Harsh or hurtful in a way that makes someone feel upset

is more biting and often uses clever mockery to hurt

A

acerbic

vscaustic

7 8.2

Speech or writing that is harsh and likely to offend people

is harsher and commonly has a mocking edge as well

A

acid

vscaustic

4 7.0

Said in a sharp, hurtful way to criticize someone

is usually more mocking and personal rather than simply bitter

P

pungent

vscaustic

3 6.5

Sharp, biting words that can hurt or shock people

is harsher and typically more openly biting or sarcastic

T

tart

vscaustic

• Slang

3 6.7

A sharp, biting remark that hurts or criticizes

is usually stronger and includes more sustained harshness or mockery

V

vituperative

vscaustic

• Offensive

2 9.9

Using very angry and insulting words to attack someone

is more likely to use cutting irony rather than direct abuse

M

mordant

vscaustic

• Formal

1 8.7

Expressing sharp, often ironic criticism that can feel harsh

is more openly sarcastic and severe beyond just ironic wit

V

vinegary

vscaustic

1 5.9

Having a sharp, sour taste or smell

is usually more biting and often includes mocking irony as well

A

acrid

vscaustic

1 7.5

A harsh, bitter way of speaking that shows anger or criticism

is more biting in a mocking way rather than only unpleasant

N

narky

vscaustic

• UK

1 9.9

Having a sharp, unfriendly tone that criticizes others

is harsher and more deliberately mocking rather than just irritable

T

tonguey

vscaustic

• Informal

1 8.9

Quick to say sharp things that hurt

is more forceful and tends to use mocking irony rather than quickness

S

sulfurous

vscaustic

• Formal

1 7.9

Harsh angry speech or writing that strongly criticizes people

is more cutting and often uses ironic mockery rather than anger

S

sneery

vscaustic

1 8.8

Having a rude, mocking look or voice that shows dislike

is more biting and often uses clever irony rather than only contempt

V

venomous-tongued

vscaustic

• Literature

1 9.4

Saying harsh, mean things that hurt people

is more likely to rely on sharp witty mockery rather than direct spite

M

mordacious

vscaustic

• Formal

9.9

Very critical and hurtful in speech or writing

is often more sarcastic and bitter rather than merely sharp

Antonyms

G

gentle

408 1.0

Kind and not strong in action, sound, or touch

C

complimentary

23 4.2

Saying good things about someone to show you admire them

Compounds

C

caustic soda

• UK

1 6.1

A very strong chemical that can burn skin and is used to make soap and clean things

C

caustic remark

• Offensive

1 7.2

A harshly critical comment that aims to hurt or mock someone

C

caustic potash

• Specialized

1 7.0

A strong chemical used to make soap and fertilizers that can burn your skin

C

caustic lime

• Specialized

6.6

A white powder made by heating limestone, used in building and farming

L

lunar caustic

• Archaic

9.9

A silver stick that doctors used to burn away warts and small growths

How Cutting

vitriolic

• Offensive

10 9.3

scathing

29 7.7

caustic

9 7.4

biting

12 5.4

sharp

85 4.2

critical

234 3.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology