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
This brilliantly acerbic novel is set up as a millennial comedy of manners, but when Remy and Alicia head to the Hamptons for a surf weekend with Instagram-baddie Jen, a pair of glowing eyes in the bushes is just the first indication that things are very, very wrong.
—
Literary Hub, 26 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
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
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Literary Hub, 26 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
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
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbic
Adjective
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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
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According to a live feed from The New York Times, within minutes of the third day starting, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers had to reproach Musk, instructing him to stop being sarcastic and evasive.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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My satiric letter advised parents to teach their children to settle disputes with hockey sticks, like their favorite hockey players.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
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The satirical news outlet sought approval of the InfoWars deal Thursday, but an emergency motion filed by Jones’ lawyers was approved by the Texas Third Court of Appeals, the Associated Press reports, with a hearing set for May 28.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Avoid using vinegar and other acidic cleaners to clean glass doors in showers with natural stone because the acidity can etch or damage the finish.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 May 2026
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Sodium bisulfate is an acidic salt often used to lower pH in swimming pools, spas and industrial water systems, and is also used in metal finishing, food processing, cleaning products and sanitizing.—
Kris Habermehl,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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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
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In the 20th century, some of the biggest names in comedy may be remembered more for their warm, inviting jokes than their more barbed satire, but the likes of Bob Hope and Johnny Carson had plenty to say about politics.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 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 8 May. 2026.
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