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; see -ant

Explanation

If you like Edgar Allan Poe and "The Addams Family," you have a taste for mordant entertainment — that is, anything particularly grim or dark in nature. The original meaning of mordant (which comes from the Latin word modere, meaning "to bite or sting,") was that of a physical substance that literally bit into something, such as the one used to set dye into fabrics, or etch lines into a copper plate. Now, mordant generally refers to a dark or biting artistic style, sense of humor, or psychological outlook.

Example Sentences

He and his colleagues came up with a mordant slogan: “The SPLC—making hate pay.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 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

His worst critics perceived this outlook as complacency, something insufficiently mordant for any writer of the long, wicked 20th century.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

Martinez scatters ceramic roses across the painting, a mordant honorific to past glory and current hopes.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025

The girl watched him warily, but Stonesnake gave a mordant chuckle.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• acerbic
• biting
• caustic
• sardonic
• scathing