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View synonyms for acerbic

acerbic

[ uh-sur-bik ]

adjective

  1. sour or astringent in taste:

    Lemon juice is acerbic.

  2. harsh or severe, as of temper or expression:

    acerbic criticism.



acerbic

/ əˈsɜːbɪk /

adjective

  1. harsh, bitter, or astringent; sour


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Other Words From

  • a·cerbi·cal·ly adverb
  • una·cerbic adjective
  • una·cerbi·cal·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of acerbic1

1860–65; < Latin acerb ( us ) sour, unripe, bitterly harsh + -ic, irregular for -ous

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Word History and Origins

Origin of acerbic1

C17: from Latin acerbus sour, bitter

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Example Sentences

He did not suffer criticism silently and was often acerbic in his responses.

The acerbic Philadelphia journalist William Cobbett termed Rush’s bleeding “one of those great discoveries which are made from time to time for the depopulation of the Earth.”

From Time

On his HBO show Real Time with Bill Maher last Friday, the acerbic host had some harsh words for our butt-crazy culture.

Think of a slightly less acerbic, more feminine Tom Wolfe, her literary idol and inspiration.

If Brady were as uptight and acerbic as Belichick often seems, the Patriot train would have long ago run off the rails.

But Tom Boswell makes it all look easy, gliding between the seasons with appreciation and acerbic wit.

A hazy choral interlude follows, followed by more nasty beats and acerbic lyrics.

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