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

Mobile phones are prohibited in prisons and considered to be as corrosive as drugs to a prison environment over concerns that they can further criminal activity, like moving drugs, intimidating witnesses and even organising escapes.

From BBC

“The damage of using a phone is as corrosive to a prison environment as drugs are,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

The bigger concern, he said, was the potential damage to vehicle materials due to the corrosive properties of E20.

From BBC

For example, in the case of EO, highly corrosive hydrogen fluoride vapor.

From BBC

Unless comprehensive strategies address not just firearms but also mental health infrastructure and the corrosive impact of misinformation, this deadly pattern is likely to continue.

From Salon

Related Words

• acerbic 
• caustic 
• destructive 
• incisive 
• trenchant