tartness
- noun
- /ˈtɑrt.nəs/
- Her comments were full of tartness, revealing her displeasure with the situation.
Examples
-
"Thank you," Heikki said, and could not keep a certain tartness from her voice.
Fiction book (1990) -
The journalist's tartness in her review made it clear she did not enjoy the film.
-
Even in her polite tone, there was an underlying tartness that hinted at her frustration.
Synonyms
A bitter, angry feeling shown in words or actions
A habit of speaking in a harsh, critical way
A strong unpleasant effect that hurts the senses
A harsh, sudden way of speaking that sounds unfriendly
A sharp, bitter way of speaking that hurts people
A harsh, rude manner or tone that offends people
A harsh quality in a voice or behavior that feels severe
A sharp, cutting way of speaking and writing that criticizes people and ideas
A tendency to make sharp, hurtful remarks
Speech or writing that is sharp and often hurts people
A sharp, biting way of speaking or writing that strongly affects people
A harsh tone in speech or writing that hurts people
A sharp, bitter way of speaking that hurts people
Speech or writing that is sharply critical and makes people feel bad
A harsh, unfriendly manner that hurts or upsets people
Antonyms
How Sharp
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Tartness for speech comes from the same old tart meaning 'sharp', using the idea of a taste that 'bites'. So when someone shows tartness in their words, their remark feels 'cutting' or stings the listener.