as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
the customer made his displeasure known with more acerbity than was necessary
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of acerbity
The third element of the trio is Mary Flynn, played by the terrific Lindsey Mendez, a 2018 Tony winner for Carousel, with a natural warmth that offsets the character’s growing acerbity.
—
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2022
The Brodie books demonstrate her great facility with genre, pairing pulse-quickening suspense with Atkinson’s distinctive blend of puckishness and acerbity.
—Sarah Chihaya, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2022
Mazower notes with some acerbity that no king of Greece died quietly in office before 1947 . . .
—Claire Messud, Harper's Magazine, 26 Oct. 2021
Rarely does a reviewer convey her opinion of a book’s strengths and weaknesses with such grace and acerbity.
—New York Times, 4 Dec. 2020
There is, however, something respectable and clarifying about its commitment to acerbity.
—Kate Knibbs, Wired, 7 Sep. 2020
Overly harsh with citrus, the fish was like an Italianate ceviche, and its acerbity drowned the satiny, subtle panna cotta.
—Kate Washington, sacbee, 11 May 2018
By now Dimon is nearly iconic in his acerbity and general spikiness.
—Daniel Gross, Slate Magazine, 17 July 2017
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2022
The Brodie books demonstrate her great facility with genre, pairing pulse-quickening suspense with Atkinson’s distinctive blend of puckishness and acerbity.
—Sarah Chihaya, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2022
Mazower notes with some acerbity that no king of Greece died quietly in office before 1947 . . .
—Claire Messud, Harper's Magazine, 26 Oct. 2021
Rarely does a reviewer convey her opinion of a book’s strengths and weaknesses with such grace and acerbity.
—New York Times, 4 Dec. 2020
There is, however, something respectable and clarifying about its commitment to acerbity.
—Kate Knibbs, Wired, 7 Sep. 2020
Overly harsh with citrus, the fish was like an Italianate ceviche, and its acerbity drowned the satiny, subtle panna cotta.
—Kate Washington, sacbee, 11 May 2018
By now Dimon is nearly iconic in his acerbity and general spikiness.
—Daniel Gross, Slate Magazine, 17 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbity
Noun
-
But Deborah’s bitterness is eclipsing everything.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
The bitterness mellows beautifully and clings to pasta like it was meant to.—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The third Ember Group restaurant, scheduled to open June 1, is Imoto, another small plate spot that specializes in sushi and other Asian bites.—
Connie Ogle
Updated May 8,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
-
This free Saturday series offers full-service food and drink, with beer, cider, cocktails and local bites on site.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship moored off the western coast of Africa is gripping a world primed by recent painful experience to be on edge for the next Covid-19-like event.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
7 May 2026
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But there’s a significant difference in setting the edge on the college level and doing it in the NFL, where the offensive tackles and tight ends are usually bigger and stronger.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Get the azaleas off to a good start by having soil acidity tested, and adjusting the pH if needed, following test recommendations.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acerbity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerbity. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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