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acidly

acidly

1 5.1
In a sharp, rude way that shows sarcasm
  • adverb
  • /ˈæsɪdli/
translation icon : 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
49 3.5

In a severe or unkind way that feels unpleasant

is more pointedly sarcastic rather than generally severe
sharply
vsacidly
44 2.8

In a harsh, angry way when speaking to someone

adds sharp sarcasm and harsh tone beyond plain aggression
sourly
vsacidly
4 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
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
acerbically
vsacidly
1 8.1

In a sharp, hurtful way when criticizing someone

is more sarcastic and mocking than plain bitterness
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
caustically
vsacidly
1 8.2

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

is more about ironic mockery than corrosive attack
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
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
acridly
vsacidly
8.2

In a sharp, bitter way that hurts people with words

adds more ironic mockery than purely caustic sting
mordaciously
vsacidly
  • Formal
9.9

In a very sharp and hurtful way that criticizes others

shows more mocking sarcasm rather than only harsh bite
astringently
vsacidly
  • Formal
8.1

In a sharp, harsh way that shows strong criticism

adds a mocking sarcastic edge to plain severity
acrimoniously
vsacidly
8.1

In a bitter, angry way during a disagreement

is more sarcastic and cutting than mainly angry
vituperatively
vsacidly
  • Offensive
9.9

To criticise someone using very harsh, insulting words

is more about sharp sarcastic wit than primary abuse
stingingly
vsacidly
7.7

In a sharply critical way that hurts someone's feelings

uses sarcasm more than outright emotional harm
toothily
vsacidly
9.3

Speaking or acting in a harsh, biting way

is more sarcastic and less purely aggressive in focus
abrasively
vsacidly
6.5

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

focuses more on sarcastic speech rather than general roughness
saltily
vsacidly
8.1

With a strong salt taste or with sharp annoyed words

leans more toward clear sarcasm than casual irritation
waspishly
vsacidly
8.4

In an angry, sharp way that shows someone is annoyed

is more deliberately sarcastic rather than merely irritable
with asperity
vsacidly
  • Formal
9.9

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

is more sarcastic and mocking than purely severe harshness

How Harsh

bitingly
1 7.4
acerbically
1 8.1
acidly
1 5.1
sharply
44 2.8
firmly
92 1.0
gently
372 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.