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
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Recent Examples of acerbic
Throughout the day, as the professor’s thoughts cascade from Dostoyevsky to YouTube fitness influencers, nearly every one of Castro’s acerbic, unfiltered paragraphs contains a bristling insight about literature, weight lifting, or academic politics.
—
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Standouts in the cat-boutique vocal cast include Donovan Patton as the acerbic CatRat, Julien Donenfield as Cakey the cupcake, and Maggie Lowe as the innocent Baby Box, who’s got a head like a small house.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
The stock market has historically brushed off government shutdowns, but an especially acerbic congressional dispute over the latest funding bill could test that track record.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2025
Where the strain required for a tenor to hit that upper register lends these verses an acerbic, explosive edge, a countertenor can approach the same lines with lamblike lyricism, as Mobley did.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Standouts in the cat-boutique vocal cast include Donovan Patton as the acerbic CatRat, Julien Donenfield as Cakey the cupcake, and Maggie Lowe as the innocent Baby Box, who’s got a head like a small house.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
The stock market has historically brushed off government shutdowns, but an especially acerbic congressional dispute over the latest funding bill could test that track record.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2025
Where the strain required for a tenor to hit that upper register lends these verses an acerbic, explosive edge, a countertenor can approach the same lines with lamblike lyricism, as Mobley did.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbic
Adjective
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As a model named Carl, stuck in a relationship corrupted by microcelebrity and Instagram view counts, Dickinson ticks with exasperation and sarcastic logic, his jaw clenched, his eyes wide and staring.—
Carrie Battan,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
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Following the mother-daughter duo of Lorelai Gilmore, played by Lauren Graham, and Rory, played by Alexis Bledel, Gilmore Girls was perfectly made for millennials, packed with wistful romances, frustrating dramatic turns and just enough sarcastic jokes.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Light, silly, and satirical, knowing your genre tropes makes for an even better viewing experience.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
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Director and co-writer Byun Sung-hyun signals his satirical interests early, skipping an intense look at the start of the attack and focusing on an earplug-donning passenger who sleeps through the initial proclamation.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Pot the hibiscus in a pot filled with acidic potting mix.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
20 Oct. 2025
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The petals close due to the DNA folding when the environment becomes acidic.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The actress is clearly relishing the opportunity to deliver Aaron Sorkin’s barbed dialogue (though perhaps not as much as Philip Seymour Hoffman, who steals the show as an explosive CIA functionary).—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
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Watch this just for all the quick lands and barbed moments here alone.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Avoid an acid overload of tart and tangy (pickles and citrus), a bold flavor competition, sweet and funky flavors colliding (fruity jams and aged cheeses), and a clash of spicy meats and cheeses with delicate fruits and accompaniments.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
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Normally, acid from citrus is used to curdle the milk, before the solids are removed to leave a rich drink.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acerbic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerbic. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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