Synonyms of mordant

mordant

adjective

ˈmȯr-dᵊnt 

as in satiric

marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings

a mordant review of the movie that compared it to having one's teeth pulled for two hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

• satiric
• sarcastic
• acid
• acidic
• barbed
• caustic
• biting
• sardonic
• acerbic
• corrosive
• acrid
• pungent
• acidulous
• scathing
• ironic
• tart
• sharp
• cynical
• cutting
• acerb
• smart-aleck
• snarky
• smart-alecky
• scalding
• harsh
• wry
• trenchant
• sour
• incisive
• smart-mouthed
• blunt
• poignant
• concise
• dry
• spiky
• cross
• severe
• flippant
• brisk
• facetious
• vitriolic
• pithy
• keen
• sharp-tongued
• sourish
• gruff
• curt
• stringent
• bitter
• acrimonious
• abrupt
• tongue-in-cheek
• brusque
• terse
• succinct
• resentful
• tartish
• crisp
• backhanded
• insincere
• rough
• snippy
• snippety

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amusing
• playful
• mild
• merry
• gentle
• droll
• waggish
• bland
• diplomatic
• sportive
• smooth
• polite
• urbane
• good-natured
• hospitable
• gracious
• cordial
• genial
• good-humored
• affable
• suave
• sociable

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective mordant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mordant are acrid, caustic, and scathing. While all these words mean "stingingly incisive," mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

mordant reviews of the play

When might acrid be a better fit than mordant?

The synonyms acrid and mordant are sometimes interchangeable, but acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence.

acrid invective

When would caustic be a good substitute for mordant?

The meanings of caustic and mordant largely overlap; however, caustic suggests a biting wit.

caustic comments

When can scathing be used instead of mordant?

While in some cases nearly identical to mordant, scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity.

a scathing satire

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mordant

But there are two more MCU crossovers — one from The Avengers and one from X-Men — that go beyond fan service to bring welcome touches, respectively, of mordant humor and unpredictable danger. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026

Twain reserved his most mordant reflections on American politics for Congress, in his time the most potent—and corrupt—branch of government. — Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

The direct ionic and hydrogen-bonding interactions between the prickly pear peel pigment and the wool fiber enabled by microwaving eliminates the need for a mordant intermediary. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 17 June 2026

But the main model is Humphrey Bogart, whose looks Cage’s recall more than a little; Bogart played Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe in the films most associated with those characters, whose mordant humor creator-writer Oren Uziel seeks to replicate here, with fair success. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026

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