acerbic

adjective

ə-ˈsər-bik How to pronounce acerbic (audio)
Definition of acerbicnext
as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings whispered a steady stream of acerbic comments as the lecturer droned on

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of acerbic The comedian, 38, best known for his role as the acerbic gay best friend Elliott Goss in HBO’s Search Party, chose our meeting place to take advantage of the balmy late-May weather and to say goodbye to the neighborhood. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026 The Probability of Miracles follows Campbell Cooper (Collazo), an acerbic teenager dying of cancer who, after receiving a terminal diagnosis, moves with her mom and younger sister to the town of Promise, where miracles are said to happen. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 9 June 2026 As embodied by John Lithgow, Dahl is incisive, avuncular, irascible, acerbic, and always entertaining. — Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026 Netflix 'Miss You, Love You' In the dramedy, Allison Janney stars as an acerbic widow who gets help planning her husband's funeral from her estranged son's eager-to-please assistant (Andrew Rannells). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbic
  1. sarcastic
  2. satiric
  3. acidic
  4. barbed
  5. acid
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
  • 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
  • Another drone created a smoke screen while still more blasted through triple-layered barbed wire.
    — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026
  • The train station hulked behind barbed wire, abandoned for years, both witness to and eight million bricks’ worth of evidence of Detroit's near-collapse.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
Definition of barbed
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

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Cite this Entry

“Acerbic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerbic. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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