acerbic
Americanadjective
-
sour or astringent in taste.
Lemon juice is acerbic.
-
harsh or severe, as of temper or expression.
acerbic criticism.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- acerbically adverb
- unacerbic adjective
- unacerbically adverb
Etymology
Origin of acerbic
1860–65; < Latin acerb ( us ) sour, unripe, bitterly harsh + -ic, irregular for -ous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Australia's acerbic media did not hold back in their criticism, citing selection "stuff-ups" and "shambolic" preparations, including a 3-0 pre-tournament series loss in Pakistan, for the embarrassment.
From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026
I remember after “The Devil Wears Prada,” I got offered every acerbic British bitch.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2025
Nuzzi built her career covering high-profile political figures with a mix of insider access and acerbic reporting, a combination that has made her both influential and controversial.
From Salon • Dec. 6, 2025
Ms. McGarr, who teaches at University of Wisconsin-Madison, is often acerbic about her subjects but notes that they were “awash in patriotic fervor at the same time that they were distrustful and cynical.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025
“Thanks so much,” I said, my voice acerbic.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
