corrosive

[kuh-roh-siv]

adjective

1. having the quality of corroding or eating away; erosive.

2. harmful or destructive; deleterious.

   the corrosive effect of poverty on their marriage.

3. sharply sarcastic; caustic.

   corrosive comments on the speaker's integrity.

noun

1. something corrosive, as an acid or drug.

corrosive

/ kəˈrəʊsɪv /

adjective

1. (esp of acids or alkalis) capable of destroying solid materials

2. tending to eat away or consume

3. cutting; sarcastic

   a corrosive remark

noun

1. a corrosive substance, such as a strong acid or alkali

Other Word Forms

• corrosively adverb
• corrosiveness noun
• corrosivity noun
• noncorrosive adjective
• noncorrosively adverb
• noncorrosiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of corrosive¹

1350–1400; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Medieval Latin corrōsīvus, equivalent to Latin corrōs ( us ) ( corrosion ) + -īvus -ive; replacing Middle English corosif < Middle French < Latin as above

Example Sentences

Money can have a corrosive effect on relationships — romantic, platonic and familial — and upsets the balance of power in a relationship.

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It is deeply corrosive of personal mores and social trust.

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Findlay was working an investigative journalist for the Sun newspaper when William Burns knocked on his door disguised as a postman and threw corrosive liquid at his face.

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Your current plan adequately covers you for the corrosive effects of inflation, assuming that averages 3% a year.

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Rather remained adamant, even through reputational degradation, that the real threat to journalism wasn’t liberal bias or declining ratings, but the corrosive takeover of the fourth estate by corporate and ideological power.

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Related Words

• acerbic 
• caustic 
• destructive 
• incisive 
• trenchant