corrosive

adjective

cor·​ro·​sive kə-ˈrō-siv How to pronounce corrosive (audio)
-ziv
1
: tending or having the power to corrode
corrosive acids
corrosive action
the corrosive effects of alcoholism
2
: bitingly sarcastic
corrosive satire
corrosive noun
corrosively adverb
corrosiveness noun

Examples of corrosive in a Sentence

She argues that racism is dangerous and corrosive to society. a corrosive satire on the fashion industry and its movers and shakers
Recent Examples on the Web The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, however, failed to treat the corrosive water, which ate into the city’s iron and lead pipes, causing lead to leach into the drinking water. Dakin Andone, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 This sensation has been building for some time and was exacerbated by the corrosive political lies of the Trump era. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024 The deep ocean is not a friendly place for electronics, says Baker, due to a combination of high pressure and corrosive seawater. IEEE Spectrum, 11 Mar. 2024 Such content can have a corrosive effect even when it’s not believed, according to a February study by researchers at Stanford University examining the potential impacts of AI on Black communities. Matt Brown, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 There’s the potential costs to consider as well as the corrosive effect of waging elections without end. Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024 That’s corrosive not only for the Gray Lady, but the public record at large. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 Even short of that, serial amorality will prove politically corrosive: a country whose population has rallied to defend its values as well as its interests will not forever support a strategy that seems to cast those values aside. Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 Carbohydrates, unlike chloride, are not corrosive to steel, and can act as a corrosion inhibitor for salt brines. Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 3 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'corrosive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corrosif, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin corrōsīvus, from Latin corrōsus, past participle of corrōdere "to gnaw, corrode" + -īvus -ive

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of corrosive was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near corrosive

Cite this Entry

“Corrosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corrosive. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

corrosive

adjective
cor·​ro·​sive kə-ˈrō-siv How to pronounce corrosive (audio)
-ziv
: tending or having the power to corrode
corrosive acids
corrosive noun
corrosively adverb
corrosiveness noun

Medical Definition

corrosive

1 of 2 adjective
cor·​ro·​sive -ˈrō-siv, -ziv How to pronounce corrosive (audio)
: tending or having the power to corrode
corrosive acids
a corrosive gas
corrosiveness noun

corrosive

2 of 2 noun
: a substance that corrodes : caustic

More from Merriam-Webster on corrosive

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