Synonyms of mordant

mordant

adjective

ˈmȯr-dᵊnt 

as in satiric

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

a mordant review of the movie that compared it to having one's teeth pulled for two hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective mordant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mordant are acrid, caustic, and scathing. While all these words mean "stingingly incisive," mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

mordant reviews of the play

When might acrid be a better fit than mordant?

The synonyms acrid and mordant are sometimes interchangeable, but acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence.

acrid invective

When would caustic be a good substitute for mordant?

The meanings of caustic and mordant largely overlap; however, caustic suggests a biting wit.

caustic comments

When can scathing be used instead of mordant?

While in some cases nearly identical to mordant, scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity.

a scathing satire

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mordant

His conversation is astringent; his mordant wit softens into easy laughter. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025

That may have been Winter’s intention — there’s also more than a whiff of the Coen brothers figuring into all the mordant mayhem — but the execution proves trickier to pull off for a sustained period. —Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025

Mikkelsen, in one of the most tender performances of his career, and Sloan, whose expressive eyes stay impossibly wide for the duration of the film, craft an easy chemistry together, his mordant humor matching hers like a glove. —Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025

Phoebe Greenwood’s novel, Vulture, conjures up this world with mordant humor and breathtaking immediacy. —Book Marks august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!