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 Marriage Story star first appeared as a child in an uncredited role in the Scorsese film — Ladd's first taste of major acclaim as the sarcastic waitress Flo.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Nov. 2025 -
The kicking game was so bad that Freeman sounded like Brian Kelly at his sarcastic best when asked about Noah Burnette, Erik Schmidt and Marcello Diomede combining to miss two extra points and one field goal.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But it’s set apart from the rest of her work by a long, satirical section sending up gothic fiction and its fans.—
Erin Somers,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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But the tone is often more satiric than somber, Park highlighting Man-su’s foibles and insecurities.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Savannah police and the FBI are continuing to follow any possible leads to find whoever is responsible for the acid attack in a local park that left a woman with severe burns.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
16 Dec. 2025
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If acid soil-loving plants are not thriving, have the soil tested and amend the pH with elemental sulfur.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Possible Worsening of Acid Reflux Symptoms Many juices, such as orange, lemon, and pineapple, are highly acidic and can worsen symptoms in people with acid reflux.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
7 Jan. 2026
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While both are safe and effective for preserving, citric acid can contribute a sharper, more acidic note, while salt tends to round out tomato flavor.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Half of my drawing was in black and white, showing a woman walking away from barbed wire and a prison tower.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
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Who knew barbed wire could be so interesting?—
Pam LeBlanc,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In her first major big-screen role since May December, an icy-blonde Natalie Portman is Polina Polinski, an ambitious gallerist gearing up for her Art Basel premiere, in this acerbic art world satire from Cathy Yan (Dead Pigs).—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
6 Jan. 2026
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Lavery’s protagonist in Meeting New People is an acerbic older woman named Barbara, who is trying to optimize her next and potentially last friendship by analyzing what went wrong with failed best friendships in the past.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Acerb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerb. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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