Synonyms of acerbity

acerbity

noun

ə-ˈsər-bə-tē 

as in bitterness

a harsh or sharp quality

the customer made his displeasure known with more acerbity than was necessary

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bitterness
• bite
• edge
• acidity
• poignancy
• harshness
• poignance
• pungency
• acridity
• acuteness
• severity
• roughness
• asperity
• acrimony
• sharpness
• tartness
• spice
• keenness
• acridness
• severeness
• tang
• punch
• shrillness
• virulence
• acidness
• acrimoniousness
• ginger
• vitriol
• pointedness
• raucousness
• maliciousness
• thorniness
• cattiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• softness
• gentleness
• mildness
• kindliness

Example Sentences

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

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