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
Adjective
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The fans gave him a sarcastic slow-clap, prompting him to wave his arms in encouragement.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026 -
So sarcastic remarks can be ironic, but ironic remarks are not necessarily sarcastic.—
Ayana Archie,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And that’s a risk that The Audacity is courting in a premiere that doesn’t care yet about turning its satirical targets into antiheroes, which is what Glatzer was doing on Better Call Saul and Succession.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
12 Apr. 2026
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Executive produced by Succession alum Jonathan Glatzer, who is also showrunner, the darkly satirical drama stars Billy Magnussen and Sarah Goldberg.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the ensuite bathroom, the dialogue between contemporary terracotta surfaces and acid green resin results in a surprisingly cozy atmosphere.—
Ludovica Stevan,
Architectural Digest,
5 Apr. 2026
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Plants like blueberries, roses, tomatoes, hydrangeas, and azaleas, in particular, are acid and nitrogen lovers.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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What Vinegar Actually Does Vinegar is acidic, and eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
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Both thrive in well-draining, acidic soil and full sun.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Nyuyen’s compound was surrounded by a 12-ft wall of barbed wire and guard posts.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
7 Apr. 2026
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Tangled pieces of barbed wire, reams of rubble and fallen concrete scarred the skyline in Karaj, western Iran, on Friday, after the US military bombed a major new bridge under construction.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Her acerbic inner monologue (voiced by tennis legend John McEnroe) is a clever meta-commentary on her rage issues, but the lead actress is still the series’ highlight.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
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While Bright Lights is a clinically sound and narratively solid depiction of a sickness, this movie adaptation lacks the novel’s deliciously acerbic descriptions of New York’s sick social scene as well as its protagonist’s self-aware commentaries.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Acerb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerb. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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