caustically

adverb

as in contemptuously

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 caustically At the same time, each frame builds upon the last to create a gripping, caustically funny narrative about patriarchy, disempowerment and compliance. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 But that caustically independent branding didn't deter Moulton. — Jon Keller, CBS News, 16 June 2026 In the 1980s, Letterman caustically rejected the schmoozy style of Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show with his follow-on program, Late Night. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caustically
  1. contemptuously
  2. venomously
  3. scornfully
  4. vindictively
  5. bitterly
  6. disdainfully
  7. antagonistically
  8. obnoxiously
Adverb
  • Hazel swung the lamp in her hand and looked contemptuously at Ginny, surrounded by the naturalists and the teachers, who whispered encouragement.
    — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Men sneered contemptuously at them, while teenagers used their names as insults.
    — Mikhail Zygar, Vanity Fair, 7 Jan. 2026
Definition of contemptuously
Adverb
  • In its bleakest moments, the novel suggests that the ordeal of being gay in a venomously bigoted society negates its bounty.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The pundits feasted on her neutrality, most venomously Megyn Kelly, who called her a coward.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of venomously
Adverb
  • Those are places where many voters look skeptically, even scornfully, upon big cities and the people who run them.
    — Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • As if the question arose, thought Leonora scornfully.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of scornfully
Adverb
  • Then, Petrova’s lawyers filed a motion to dismiss, arguing the government was selectively and vindictively prosecuting her and that was unconstitutional.
    — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Comey has alleged he is being vindictively and selectively prosecuted, which the Justice Department has denied.
    — Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of vindictively
Adverb
  • Alberto learns that his grandfather—whom his mother, Teresa (Lola Dueñas), was bitterly estranged from and never introduced her son to—has recently died and left him a curious inheritance, a mystery that needs untangling.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The race is widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu's nearly unbroken 17-year rule, which had left Israelis bitterly divided on a host of issues even before the deadliest attack in the country's history.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of bitterly
Adverb
  • The camera then switches from the chaos of the puppy, to the kitten—who is sitting in a relaxed position, blinking slowly, and staring almost disdainfully at the wriggling puppy.
    — Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Bella, in her podcast conversation with Trinny Woodall, recalled that once, at a village post office, a shop assistant disdainfully called her a hippie.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of disdainfully
Adverb
  • Of the 10 countries asked about, only Russia was viewed more antagonistically.
    — Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 12 May 2026
Definition of antagonistically
Adverb
  • Its error was in suggesting that what politicians so obnoxiously broke could be fixed so quickly.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • If a friend or colleague is suddenly competing with you for attention, or obnoxiously gloating about their accomplishments, remember that you’re allowed to stop participating in the comparison game.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of obnoxiously

Browse Nearby Words

caustic
caustically
cauterize
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Caustically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caustically. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of wabi-sabi

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All