Acerbic (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Harsh or corrosive in tone; "an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose"; "a barrage of acid comments"; "her acrid remarks make her many enemies"; "bitter words"; "blistering criticism"; "caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics"; "a sulfurous denunciation"; "a vitriolic critique".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The acerbic wit of the late-night talk show host had his audience in stitches, but also left many of his targets smarting.
- Her acerbic tone made it clear that she was not to be trifled with, and her opponents took heed.
- The acerbic criticism from the renowned food critic sent the struggling restaurant into a tailspin.
- The politician's acerbic response to the debate question left many in the audience wondering if he had crossed a line.
- The author's acerbic pen left no sacred cow unscathed, as he mercilessly skewered the hypocrisy of modern society.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
Sour or bitter in taste.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The acerbic flavor of the lemon juice made her pucker her lips.
- The chef added a splash of vinegar to give the dish an acerbic kick.
- The acerbic taste of the grapefruit was overwhelming, but she drank it anyway.
- The recipe called for a squeeze of fresh lime juice to add an acerbic note to the sauce.
- The acerbic flavor of the pickled ginger was a perfect complement to the rich sushi.