cor·ro·sive
kə-ˈrō-siv 
-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
cor·ro·sive·ness
kə-ˈrō-siv-nəs,
-ziv-
plural -es
Synonyms of corrosive
Examples of corrosive in a Sentence
Adjective
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
Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
As Israel tightens control over swaths of Gaza, soldiers describe confusing, often invisible boundaries, pressure to ‘hold the line at all costs’ and a corrosive sense that Palestinian lives barely count.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
These materials are capable of causing corrosive damage to barrels, storage tanks and other metal containers.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
White liquor is a corrosive chemical mixture used in the paper-making process.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for corrosive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The Ocean Observatories Initiative, or OOI, was set up in 2016 and is made up of around 900 instruments in parts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans specially designed to withstand the immense pressure and corrosive saltiness of the ocean depths.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
As Israel tightens control over swaths of Gaza, soldiers describe confusing, often invisible boundaries, pressure to ‘hold the line at all costs’ and a corrosive sense that Palestinian lives barely count.
—Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
These materials are capable of causing corrosive damage to barrels, storage tanks and other metal containers.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
White liquor is a corrosive chemical mixture used in the paper-making process.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for corrosive
Cite this Entry
“Corrosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corrosive. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
corrosive
adjective
cor·ro·sive
kə-ˈrō-siv
-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
: tending or having the power to corrode
corrosive acids
a corrosive gas
corrosiveness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
