Synonyms of caustic

caustic

adjective

ˈkȯ-stik 

as in sarcastic

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

caustic movie reviews that serve mainly to show how clever the reviewer is

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective caustic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of caustic are acrid, mordant, and scathing. While all these words mean "stingingly incisive," caustic suggests a biting wit.

caustic comments

When is acrid a more appropriate choice than caustic?

While the synonyms acrid and caustic are close in meaning, acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence.

acrid invective

In what contexts can mordant take the place of caustic?

In some situations, the words mordant and caustic are roughly equivalent. However, mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

mordant reviews of the play

When might scathing be a better fit than caustic?

Although the words scathing and caustic have much in common, scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity.

a scathing satire

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of caustic

As the caustic barbiturate finally started flowing into the IV lines, Pike did not fall into sedation quickly. — Keri Blakinger, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2026

The pentobarbital didn’t kill her, but her lawyers said her arms were burned and blistered from the caustic drugs. — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Online, Firstman’s personality can come off playful or caustic, depending on how generous the viewer is feeling. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026

Villegas prevailed in a caustic primary over state lawmaker Jasmeet Bains, a moderate who was backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

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