1
as in acidic
causing or characterized by the one of the four basic taste sensations that is produced chiefly by acids
a slightly acidulous drink that is far more refreshing than the overly sweet iced tea that is also available
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2
as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
a gently acidulous writing style that never becomes annoying
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Recent Examples of acidulous
Six days a week, its chirpy, acidulous anchors expose the shortcomings of cabinet ministers and their opposition shadows.
—
Dominic Green, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2022
Ray collaborated with the cinematographer Harry Stradling to create a screeching, acidulous palette of yellows, reds, and greens that stand out all the more against Ray’s calculated array of black-and-white outfits.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2022
Sharp observations like these show us glimpses of the acidulous social satirist of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
—Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2021
Sourced from Provence, the purple plant is balanced out by acidulous Italian bergamot and spicy-sweet tonka bean.
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 6 June 2019
Dominic Green, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2022
Ray collaborated with the cinematographer Harry Stradling to create a screeching, acidulous palette of yellows, reds, and greens that stand out all the more against Ray’s calculated array of black-and-white outfits.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2022
Sharp observations like these show us glimpses of the acidulous social satirist of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
—Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2021
Sourced from Provence, the purple plant is balanced out by acidulous Italian bergamot and spicy-sweet tonka bean.
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 6 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acidulous
Adjective
-
What Vinegar Actually Does Vinegar is acidic, and eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Both thrive in well-draining, acidic soil and full sun.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The fans gave him a sarcastic slow-clap, prompting him to wave his arms in encouragement.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
So sarcastic remarks can be ironic, but ironic remarks are not necessarily sarcastic.—
Ayana Archie,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the ensuite bathroom, the dialogue between contemporary terracotta surfaces and acid green resin results in a surprisingly cozy atmosphere.—
Ludovica Stevan,
Architectural Digest,
5 Apr. 2026
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Plants like blueberries, roses, tomatoes, hydrangeas, and azaleas, in particular, are acid and nitrogen lovers.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And that’s a risk that The Audacity is courting in a premiere that doesn’t care yet about turning its satirical targets into antiheroes, which is what Glatzer was doing on Better Call Saul and Succession.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
12 Apr. 2026
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Executive produced by Succession alum Jonathan Glatzer, who is also showrunner, the darkly satirical drama stars Billy Magnussen and Sarah Goldberg.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Nyuyen’s compound was surrounded by a 12-ft wall of barbed wire and guard posts.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Tangled pieces of barbed wire, reams of rubble and fallen concrete scarred the skyline in Karaj, western Iran, on Friday, after the US military bombed a major new bridge under construction.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acidulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acidulous. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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