Synonyms of acerbic

acerbic

adjective

ə-ˈsər-bik 

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of acerbic

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

At the level of style, there was nothing obviously flamboyant about Allen’s music, nor her presence on stage, the quiet, acerbic composure of her delivery. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

An unswervingly loyal oncologist, Wilson was the acerbic doctor's only true friend. — Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 July 2026

The comedian, 38, best known for his role as the acerbic gay best friend Elliott Goss in HBO’s Search Party, chose our meeting place to take advantage of the balmy late-May weather and to say goodbye to the neighborhood. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026

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