mordant

American  

[mawr-dnt] / ˈmɔr dnt /

adjective

1. sharply caustic or sarcastic, as wit or a speaker; biting.

   Synonyms:

   scathing, acerbic, cutting

2. burning; corrosive.

3. having the property of fixing colors, as in dyeing.

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noun

1. a substance used in dyeing to fix the coloring matter, especially a metallic compound, as an oxide or hydroxide, that combines with the organic dye and forms an insoluble colored compound or lake in the fiber.

2. an adhesive substance for binding gold or silver leaf to a surface.

3. an acid or other corrosive substance used in etching to eat out the lines, areas, etc.

4. Music. mordent.

verb (used with object)

1. to impregnate or treat with a mordant.

mordant British  

/ ˈmɔːdənt /

adjective

1. sarcastic or caustic

2. having the properties of a mordant

3. pungent

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noun

1. a substance used before the application of a dye, possessing the ability to fix colours in textiles, leather, etc See also lake 2

2. an acid or other corrosive fluid used to etch lines on a printing plate

verb

1. (tr) to treat (a fabric, yarn, etc) with a mordant

Other Word Forms

• mordancy noun
• mordantly adverb
• unmordant adjective
• unmordantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of mordant

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French, present participle of mordre “to bite,” ultimately derived from Latin mordēre; -ant

Example Sentences

Several years ago, on a cross-Atlantic literary festival where Shriver was an invited author, I observed a packed audience whoop and cheer Shriver’s mordant observations about everything wrong with the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

Stamina is what’s required of those born into an earthly reality, for which, to quote mordant Beckett, there is no cure.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2025

Instead, war broke out across Europe, and Asquith made his mordant headache joke on the way to the historical dumpster.

From Salon • Oct. 19, 2024

Typical of Lucy, it’s a funny bit with a mordant edge, bemoaning her situation by making light of it.

From New York Times • May 14, 2024

The dwarf had been whetting the edge of his axe and making some mordant jest when Bronn spotted the banner the riders carried before them, the moon-and-falcon of House Arryn, sky-blue and white.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• acerbic
• biting
• caustic
• sardonic
• scathing