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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of acrid Authorities clad in military-style helmets and uniforms faced off with the demonstrators, and people ultimately retreated amid acrid green-and-white billowing smoke. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 July 2025 Amid the false accusations and acrid clashes of President Trump’s inner circle, few acolytes have survived longer than Miller. Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025 Families huddled in underground metro stations for shelter and acrid smoke hung over the city centre. Pavel Polityuk, USA Today, 4 July 2025 Explosions could still be seen in the area as of 10 p.m. and an acrid smell wafted across the fields around the one-mile evacuation area. Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for acrid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acrid
Adjective
  • As someone who frequently wakes up stiff and sore, contributor Sydney Gore has tried a lot of pillows.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Two sore spots in Apple’s lates financials were in iPad sales and its wearables division, consisting of devices such as AirPods and the Apple Watch.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Perhaps the biggest pop culture development regarding Cheney's life, however, came in 2018, when Adam McKay helmed the satirical biographical film Vice using inspiration from the political figure and those around him.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Girl Dinner is a satirical novel about a college sophomore, Nina, and professor, Sloane, who become involved with an infamous sorority known as The House.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That clash of emotions — celebration of a dream season and commiseration over its bitter conclusion — sat on the central clubhouse table.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • To come to its conclusion, the team had 48 participants sample an array of tomato juices with different flavor profiles, including sweet, salty, and bitter options.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The kicking game was so bad that Freeman sounded like Brian Kelly at his sarcastic best when asked about Noah Burnette, Erik Schmidt and Marcello Diomede combining to miss two extra points and one field goal.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Reactions to the freestyle depended on whether or not you were tuned into its sarcastic frequency.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Davis remains angry that none of the church’s former leaders were held accountable.
    Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
  • In the end, of course, an angry mob does chase the monsters around the castle, only to be chased by them in return (the monsters having rediscovered their reason for being), which results in some serviceable monster slapstick.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Swap apple cider vinegar for red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or lemon juice for a different acidic punch.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
  • But in cheeses with a pH of 5 or lower (more acidic), no virus was found.
    Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • My appetite for more Lee is low, but Harjo’s Tulsa — cynical and lively at the same time — simmers with more to say.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Certainly, the cynical have questioned if one organization is cleaning up a mess beget by another in the name of democratizing fashion, including through the proliferation of fossil-fuel materials.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The idea of dissolving the self in an acid bath of erotic imagery was not, in the end, so unappealing.
    Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Avoid an acid overload of tart and tangy (pickles and citrus), a bold flavor competition, sweet and funky flavors colliding (fruity jams and aged cheeses), and a clash of spicy meats and cheeses with delicate fruits and accompaniments.
    Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Acrid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acrid. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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