corrosive

adjective

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

Synonyms of corrosive

• sarcastic
• satiric
• acidic
• acid
• barbed
• caustic

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

Zucman blames the corrosive influence of money for Prop 40's failure. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 10 Nov. 2026

Possible political shift Democrats intend to reclaim the popular health and environmental issues, free of Kennedy’s corrosive anti-science rhetoric. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026

Two storage tanks holding a corrosive chemical used to disinfect Folsom’s drinking water have been leaking for months, prompting city officials to authorize nearly $918,000 in additional spending to replace the aging equipment. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026

If Mendelson wins next Tuesday, Bolton’s corrosive influence in Tamarac will be lessened. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing corrosive

• corrosive sublimate

Rhymes for corrosive

• erosive
• explosive
• noncorrosive
• plosive

Kids 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

corrosive

2 of 2 noun

: a substance that corrodes : caustic