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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His passion for all-things superhero has a giddy innocence to it even when his films are sarcastic or jokey.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
11 July 2025 -
Both of us were sarcastic and fun and funny, and always making jokes and pranks and just having fun with everybody on set.—
Daniela Avila,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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The poem is part love quest, part account of Italy’s battles; in places profoundly serious, in places satiric.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
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Neither damning nor satiric, W. is oddly wistful, almost regretful — rare sentiments in a Stone film.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The floors are done in chestnut-toned wood, with acid green carpets made from bamboo silk, while the VVIP suite has its own private sitting room.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
11 June 2025
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Fluoride also replaces minerals lost from teeth due to acid breakdown, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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In oxygen-rich soil, microbes thrive, contributing to decay, and acidic pH levels erode natural materials like leather.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
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The sharp, slightly sour sauce brought the fries back to life with an acidic, satisfying kick.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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The center was built in eight days and features more than 200 security cameras, 28,000-plus feet of barbed wire and 400 security personnel.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
4 July 2025
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But reminders of past pains linger — a fence still stretches across a large swath of the park’s borders, topped in one section by barbed wire and with a new gate installed to halt entry outside of park hours.—
Austin Hornbostel,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Nikki Glaser After crushing her hosting duties at the Golden Globes (she’s confirmed to return next year), Glaser, 41, is bringing her risqué acerbic wit to live audiences through October. 62.—
Andrea Lavinthal,
People.com,
18 June 2025
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Figuring out the twists and turns of this social labyrinth is part of the movie’s fun, as Singh imbues Maitri with a sharp, acerbic wit, and captures her most troubled outbursts via a Snorricam rig affixed to her torso, matching her every minor movement.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Acerb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerb. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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