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
Relevance
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
Season one ends with Chris sitting on his stoop, pondering the complexity of life, next to the ghost of his racist dad, Auggie (Robert Patrick) (it’s inferred that the guy will be hanging around like an acerbic Obi-Wan Kenobi in season 2).
—
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 July 2025
Unlike today’s top tier defense attorneys, who try to keep big fee, white collar clients out of the papers, Keefe enjoyed the rough and tumble state’s criminal courts and could always delight reporters with an acerbic crack about the opposition.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2025
Nikki Glaser After crushing her hosting duties at the Golden Globes (she’s confirmed to return next year), Glaser, 41, is bringing her risqué acerbic wit to live audiences through October.
62.
—Andrea Lavinthal, People.com, 18 June 2025
Figuring out the twists and turns of this social labyrinth is part of the movie’s fun, as Singh imbues Maitri with a sharp, acerbic wit, and captures her most troubled outbursts via a Snorricam rig affixed to her torso, matching her every minor movement.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 July 2025
Unlike today’s top tier defense attorneys, who try to keep big fee, white collar clients out of the papers, Keefe enjoyed the rough and tumble state’s criminal courts and could always delight reporters with an acerbic crack about the opposition.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2025
Nikki Glaser After crushing her hosting duties at the Golden Globes (she’s confirmed to return next year), Glaser, 41, is bringing her risqué acerbic wit to live audiences through October.
62.
—Andrea Lavinthal, People.com, 18 June 2025
Figuring out the twists and turns of this social labyrinth is part of the movie’s fun, as Singh imbues Maitri with a sharp, acerbic wit, and captures her most troubled outbursts via a Snorricam rig affixed to her torso, matching her every minor movement.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbic
Adjective
-
This is the kind of sarcastic humor that keeps the mood light throughout the 162-game marathon.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Aug. 2025
-
This perky, self-aware, sarcastic and downright silly show caters to both the more traditional Goodspeed audiences.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
The poem is part love quest, part account of Italy’s battles; in places profoundly serious, in places satiric.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
-
Neither damning nor satiric, W. is oddly wistful, almost regretful — rare sentiments in a Stone film.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Full sun, cool temperatures, and slightly acidic, fertile soil helps plants thrive.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
-
They’re housed in an acidic formulation, so as not to disturb the skin’s acid mantle (the outermost layer of the barrier), and deliver unmatched hydration and comfort to skin.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Blood of My Blood doesn’t shy away from the violence and gore of this war — there is blood and guts and young men dying, there is poison gas and bodies on barbed wire.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Aug. 2025
-
Panthers will be stymied by 28,000 feet of barbed wire fencing.—
Elise Bennett,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
From lo-fi hip-hop to chamber pop, from acid funk to orchestral rock, the fingerprints remain.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
15 June 2025
-
The floors are done in chestnut-toned wood, with acid green carpets made from bamboo silk, while the VVIP suite has its own private sitting room.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acerbic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerbic. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share