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
Her acerbic inner monologue (voiced by tennis legend John McEnroe) is a clever meta-commentary on her rage issues, but the lead actress is still the series’ highlight.
—
Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026
Mitski has been trying to rein in an ever-present audience gaze since 2018, when her fuzzy, acerbic fifth album Be the Cowboy garnered near-unanimous praise that led to meeting Taylor Swift.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Jackie Prutsman is suitably acerbic and Aspen Thompson has particular fun with some physical comedy in the second act.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026
Mitski has been trying to rein in an ever-present audience gaze since 2018, when her fuzzy, acerbic fifth album Be the Cowboy garnered near-unanimous praise that led to meeting Taylor Swift.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Jackie Prutsman is suitably acerbic and Aspen Thompson has particular fun with some physical comedy in the second act.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbic
Adjective
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In addition to Miranda's scathing remarks to Andy (Anne Hathaway) while trying to complete seemingly impossible tasks, Emily (Emily Blunt) and Nigel (Stanley Tucci) taught her how to navigate office politics with their own sarcastic comments.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
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Middle of Nowhere’s Kacey is witty, a bit sarcastic, alternately ecstatic and frustrated but always ready to entertain.—
Molly Mary O’Brien,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Part satirical, part political, the BAFTA-winning film and subsequent album, Fine Art — a level up from their 2018 Irish-language mixtape 3CAG — solidified Kneecap’s place in music, earning them fans worldwide who come out in droves to their gigs and turning them into a popular festival draw.—
Lily Moayeri,
SPIN,
6 May 2026
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The Boys is an American satirical dark comedy television show that flips the conventional superhero narrative on its head by imagining a society where superpowers are abused for influence and profit.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
5 May 2026
Adjective
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Most varieties prefer full sun to partial shade and rich, slightly acidic soil that drains well.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
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Rex Reed, a critic and journalist known for his brash, often acidic takes on films and filmmakers, died Tuesday at his Manhattan home.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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Through the 1960s, Black residents could not attend movies or plays at the segregated theater, and the property long had a fence topped with barbed wire facing the neighborhood.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
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Against the backdrop of prison watchtowers and barbed wire, the day in Joliet featured three hours’ worth of pregame festivities, including 15 food trucks serving delicacies as quintessential as hot dogs and as unique as gourmet pasta in garlic bread cones.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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If choosing wines, focus on bright, higher-acid white wines that cut through the mouth-coating fattiness of cheese.—
Anna Lee Iijima,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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This summery salad is a lesson in salt, fat, acid, and heat.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acerbic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerbic. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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