acerbity

[uh-sur-bi-tee]

noun

1. sourness, with roughness or astringency of taste.

2. harshness or severity, as of temper or expression.

acerbity

/ əˈsɜːbɪtɪ /

noun

1. vitriolic or embittered speech, temper, etc

2. sourness or bitterness of taste

Word History and Origins

Origin of acerbity¹

From the Latin word acerbitās, dating back to 1565–75. See acerbic, -ity

Example Sentences

A new acerbity surfaced when Mr. Xi warned Chinese diplomats that they needed a “new fighting spirit” during a period that coincided with mass protests in Hong Kong against the Communist Party’s rule.

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The Academy Awards for the movies of 1988 were awash in bluntness, cruelty and acerbity.

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Pete, played with microscopic gradations of acerbity and unease by the wonderful Toby Jones, has spent years staying out of the world’s way, stitching himself a small cloak of invisibility.

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With humor and a touch of good-natured acerbity, the two converse and even argue over the finer points of their craft.

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Yet she somehow manages to balance her acerbity with an essential sweetness — a refreshing quality in this era of internet snark.

Read more on Los Angeles Times