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

• acerb
• acerbic
• acid
• acidic
• acidulous
• acrid
• barbed
• biting
• caustic
• cutting
• mordant
• pungent
• sarcastic
• sardonic
• satiric
• satirical
• scalding
• scathing
• sharp
• smart-aleck
• smart-alecky
• smart-mouthed
• snarky
• tart

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

Currently, intensive industrial manufacturing of asphalt, corrosive acid, chlorine and insecticides, as well as warehousing, wholesaling and freight movement, are permitted in certain zoning districts. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025

And beneath that fear lies a corrosive belief that resistance is futile. —Elisa Manfredini, Time, 14 June 2025

Americans saw the corrosive effects of this problem writ large as the Big Lie about the 2020 election spread and became a test of loyalty among many families, friends, and colleagues. —MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025

Deadly drugs and insecurity will continue flowing north. To truly reduce the cartels’ corrosive power, Sheinbaum should pursue their protectors. —Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2025

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