mordancy

mor·dan·cy

noun \ˈmȯr-d^ən(t)-sē\

Definition of MORDANCY

1

: a biting and caustic quality of style : incisiveness

2

: a sharply critical or bitter quality of thought or feeling : harshness

Examples of MORDANCY

1. <the surprising mordancy with which the two physicians contested each other's claim to having discovered an effective vaccine for polio>

First Known Use of MORDANCY

circa 1656

Related to MORDANCY

Synonyms

acidity, acidness, acridity, acridness, asperity, bile, bitterness, cattiness, corrosiveness, acrimony, tartness, virulence, virulency, vitriol

Related Words

gruffness, harshness, hostility, relentlessness, severity, sternness, vehemence; coldness, crossness, discourteousness, iciness, impoliteness, incivility, nastiness, rudeness, sourness, surliness, ungraciousness; anger, animosity, gall, jaundice, malevolence, malice, rancor, scorn, spite, spleen, venom, vindictiveness; jealousy, pique, resentment, sour grapes

Near Antonyms

civility, cordiality, courtesy, diplomacy, geniality, graciousness, kindness, politeness, tactfulness; compassion, softness, sweetness, sympathy, tenderness, warmth; oiliness, smoothness, suaveness, suavity, unctuousness, urbanity