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
  • The other sarcastic superhero-ed character that makes a few cameos in the film has their own connection to Spider-Man – again, centered on loneliness and eventually learning to open up from their own recent film.
    — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • In the present, Lara meets Mari, a sarcastic and blunt high school tomboy who competes as a boxer.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
Definition of sarcastic
Adjective
  • The satirical youth movement — formed in response to comments comparing unemployed young people to cockroaches — resonated with her.
    — Priyanka Salve,Raksha Murali, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026
  • This was capitalized on by the CJP which originated as a satirical online movement created by Abhijeet Dipke, a Boston University graduate.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 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
  • Blueberries are easy to grow when provided with acidic soil, consistent moisture, and adequate sunlight, Martha explains.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 July 2026
  • In a separate experiment, researchers at PNNL fed the acidic BPMED stream to cultures of the fast-growing microalgae.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
Definition of acidic
Adjective
  • These prickly hairs are for protection, with barbed ends that easily penetrate the skin of predators or your hand.
    — Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • The confrontation between father and daughter, in which Taylor-Joy unloads Lucky’s resentments about growing up in the life, is one of the season’s most barbed moments.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 2026
Definition of barbed
Adjective
  • So Knox introduces Juliette to the acerbic ex-miner Mark Chambers, who also tells Madame Mayor to forget about Lukas.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • At the level of style, there was nothing obviously flamboyant about Allen’s music, nor her presence on stage, the quiet, acerbic composure of her delivery.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 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 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of acerb for Spanish Speakers

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