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
During her speech, Paulson shared a bunch of text messages Keaton had sent her over the years, all of which were at once warm and acerbic, kind and a playfully combative.
—
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
The book adaptation was earlier in the works at HBO Max as Amazon MGM Studio has greenlit an eight-episode young adult romance series about Campbell Cooper, an acerbic teenager dying of cancer.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 16 Dec. 2025
Everyone is so touched that even Zoë can’t find anything acerbic to say.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
The international star landed on Greek auteur Yorgos Lanthimos’ radar for his absurdist comedy The Lobster (2015); the two reunited for The Favourite (2018), where her acerbic performance landed her another Oscar nod.
—Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
The book adaptation was earlier in the works at HBO Max as Amazon MGM Studio has greenlit an eight-episode young adult romance series about Campbell Cooper, an acerbic teenager dying of cancer.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 16 Dec. 2025
Everyone is so touched that even Zoë can’t find anything acerbic to say.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
The international star landed on Greek auteur Yorgos Lanthimos’ radar for his absurdist comedy The Lobster (2015); the two reunited for The Favourite (2018), where her acerbic performance landed her another Oscar nod.
—Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbic
Adjective
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Past statements or e-mails can be taken out of context, with dangerous results, so carefully phrase your statements in board meetings or in e-mails, — and avoid intemperate or sarcastic remarks.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
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It was greeted by the sound of loud, sarcastic cheering by the old London Road end and by Malcolm Shotton, Oxford’s moustachioed coach, who could have used the Pringles logo as a passport photo, throwing his jacket into the crowd in sarcastic celebration.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2026
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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How to Clean Baking Sheets With Vinegar Vinegar is an acidic ingredient that can cut through grease and lift stains.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
11 Jan. 2026
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The acidic properties of this inexpensive, nontoxic, and eco-friendly household cleaner help to break down grease, loosen dried-on food, and neutralize funky odors.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
10 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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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
Cite this Entry
“Acerbic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerbic. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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