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

Like much of the Coens’ work, these are tragedies tinged with mordant humor and punctuated by the bleakest twists of fate. — Sezin Devi Keohler, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026

Yet alongside these mordant concerns are also the vital power of poetry, the lush and profound images of nature. — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 4 Feb. 2026

Nemens’s absurd, mordant outlook keeps the story from resembling a soap opera, as does her pitch-black sense of humor. — New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026

The air is thick with metaphysical portent and mordant humor. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2026

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