acerb

adjective

ə-ˈsərb How to pronounce acerb (audio)
Definition of acerbnext
as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings a professor with a rather acerb sense of humor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerb
  1. sarcastic
  2. satiric
  3. acid
  4. acidic
  5. barbed
  6. acerbic
Adjective
  • Our second president, John Adams, was said to have had a sarcastic demeanor and made biting remarks about his contemporaries.
    — John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Why are people so hungry for a bratty, sarcastic version of Abigail Williams?
    — Moises Mendez II, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sarcastic
Adjective
  • The satirical website The Onion also moved to take over Jones’ Infowars platforms and turn his bullhorn of conspiracy theories into parody sites.
    — Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The satirical website the Onion also moved to take over Jones’ Infowars platforms and turn his bullhorn of conspiracy theories into parody sites.
    — Jim Vertuno, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of satiric
Adjective
  • There was an acid trip of a halftime show starring Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, and Shakira.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 22 July 2026
  • Lithium-ion, lead-acid, sodium-ion and other technologies all have a role to play in the electrification landscape.
    — Darren Tan, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of acid
Adjective
  • The acidic qualities of both the apple and vinegar will kill the bacteria under the feet and nails.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Some researchers have proposed that, when filled with an acidic liquid, the assembly could generate a small electrical charge.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of acidic
Adjective
  • Light tubes, chains, scaffolds, chairs and a barbed wire table all made an appearance.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Instead of trying to locate bears in the wild, the survey relies on hair samples collected in barbed wire traps, which can be used to identify individual bears based on their DNA.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of barbed
Adjective
  • Malgorzata Szumowska, Michal Englert) Aimee Lou Wood and Johnny Flynn are superb as Anna and Fyodor Dostoevsky in Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert’s acerbic and joyful period film.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Malgorzata Szumowska, Michal Englert) Aimee Lou Wood and Johnny Flynn play Anna and Fyodor Dostoevsky in Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert’s acerbic and joyful period film.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of acerbic
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.

Browse Nearby Words

acequias
acerb
acerbic
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Cite this Entry

“Acerb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerb. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on acerb

Nglish: Translation of acerb for Spanish Speakers

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