acerbic

adjective

ə-ˈsər-bik How to pronounce acerbic (audio)
Definition of acerbicnext
as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings whispered a steady stream of acerbic comments as the lecturer droned on

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of acerbic The men exude contentious authority in various ways, from the grandee’s circumspect command and Uncle Jeb’s sly omniscience to the mechanic’s viperish resentment and Billy’s acerbic flirtation. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026 The novel follows Lila Dixon, an acerbic, cynical baseball scout living a dreary and closed-off life in her 30s. — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 So Knox introduces Juliette to the acerbic ex-miner Mark Chambers, who also tells Madame Mayor to forget about Lukas. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 July 2026 An unswervingly loyal oncologist, Wilson was the acerbic doctor's only true friend. — Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbic
  1. sarcastic
  2. satiric
  3. acidic
  4. barbed
  5. acid
Adjective
  • Fresh Air critic John Powers describes it as a unique blend of creepiness, sarcastic humor and political anger, unlike anything else on TV.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This hampers several of my favorite performances, especially Harper, whose Ben is full of sarcastic indignation, and June Laporte as Ginny, an aspiring reporter in need of proper mentoring.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of sarcastic
Adjective
  • However, the film faced rejection from film festivals like Sundance and SXSW, and struggled to secure traditional studio distribution because of its controversial, pitch-black satirical premise about school shootings and social media.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In 1982, the actress was cast as one of the leads on the satirical comedy Filthy Rich.
    — Maggie Fremont, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of satiric
Adjective
  • The Bongulo Paneer — cooked in bamboo — with a coconut and capsicum poriyal blends peanut chutney with acidic gongura sour cream and fiery gunpowder.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Other novelists have turned to acidic, class-conscious portraits of the underemployed—see Andrew Martin and Halle Butler.
    — Ryan Chapman, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of acidic
Adjective
  • The state oversees different types of facilities for kids in the justice system, ranging in security level from group homes to prisons surrounded by barbed wire.
    — Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Which is to say, this is more a barbed comedy of manners than a proper, elegant period piece.
    — Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of barbed
Adjective
  • Learning to season food, growing comfortable with adding salt—and ultimately acid, spice, and sweetness—according to your own preferences, is what home cooking is all about.
    — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The idea that these two would have a five-minute-or-less breakup conversation, then plop down on the couch and happily embark on an acid trip together, strains credulity a little, even for this bizarre, codependent friend group.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of acid

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Cite this Entry

“Acerbic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerbic. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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