Synonyms of acrid

acrid

adjective

ˈa-krəd 

1

as in sore

having or showing deep-seated resentment

there have been acrid relations between the two families ever since they fought over that strip of land

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sore
• bitter
• angry
• cynical
• acrimonious
• rancorous
• embittered
• resentful
• sarcastic
• mad
• harsh
• hard
• irritated
• caustic
• vicious
• virulent
• acid
• scornful
• cruel
• disgruntled
• contemptuous
• discontented
• misanthropic
• disdainful
• vehement
• vitriolic
• disaffected
• savage
• trenchant
• mordant
• rough
• malcontent
• cutting
• knock-down, drag-out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• warm
• sweet
• sympathetic
• kind
• gentle
• loving
• unbitter
• tender
• forgiving
• caring
• warmhearted
• kindhearted

2

as in satiric

marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings

Phillipa's acrid comments about the new employee's clothes were met by laughter from everyone at the lunch table

Synonyms & Similar Words

• satiric
• sarcastic
• acidic
• acid
• barbed
• pungent
• caustic
• corrosive
• biting
• acerbic
• sardonic
• scathing
• acidulous
• mordant
• tart
• sharp
• cynical
• ironic
• acerb
• harsh
• cutting
• sour
• scalding
• snarky
• blunt
• smart-aleck
• smart-alecky
• concise
• spiky
• dry
• smart-mouthed
• trenchant
• severe
• incisive
• brisk
• poignant
• wry
• cross
• bitter
• acrimonious
• sourish
• vitriolic
• abrupt
• gruff
• flippant
• facetious
• stringent
• resentful
• keen
• brusque
• curt
• pithy
• crisp
• sharp-tongued
• terse
• succinct
• insincere
• tartish
• tongue-in-cheek
• snippy
• rough
• backhanded
• snippety

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mild
• amusing
• playful
• merry
• gentle
• bland
• droll
• waggish
• diplomatic
• smooth
• sportive
• polite
• cordial
• urbane
• good-natured
• hospitable
• genial
• gracious
• affable
• good-humored
• suave
• sociable

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective acrid contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of acrid are caustic, mordant, and scathing. While all these words mean "stingingly incisive," acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence.

acrid invective

When would caustic be a good substitute for acrid?

While in some cases nearly identical to acrid, caustic suggests a biting wit.

caustic comments

When can mordant be used instead of acrid?

The words mordant and acrid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

mordant reviews of the play

In what contexts can scathing take the place of acrid?

In some situations, the words scathing and acrid are roughly equivalent. However, scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity.

a scathing satire

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of acrid

This subcolony was independent of Hobart until 1812, a harbinger of the intense regional feeling (sometimes becoming acrid jealousy) that has long characterized the Tasmanian experience. —Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026

Billowing, acrid-smelling black clouds drifted over the turquoise waters of Banderas Bay. —Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026

There’s no shortage of stylish craft here and much to enjoy in the performances, but ultimately, Rosebush Pruning is too glib to work, leaving only an acrid aftertaste. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026

For years, residents and students had repeatedly complained about acrid odors from the site, with many suffering chronic headaches and nosebleeds. —Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026