sharp-tongued

adjective

Definition of sharp-tonguednext
as in acerbic

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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 sharp-tongued Smart and supremely confident, sharp-tongued but easily wounded. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 May 2026 Much like this Air sign, Chucky is sharp-tongued, switching between clever and terror in an instant. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025 The film follows Kat Stratford, a fiercely independent and sharp-tongued teenager played by Julia Stiles who has no interest in dating. — Jane Lacroix, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024 His icy and sharp-tongued mother (Corinna Harfouch) is dying of cancer. — Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sharp-tongued
  1. acerbic
  2. sardonic
  3. sarcastic
  4. caustic
  5. spiky
  6. sour
  7. satiric
  8. barbed
Adjective
  • Inextricable to Long’s art, though, is a self-awareness and acerbic wit that elevates the narrative and reminds us that humor is integral to survival, too.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Add monsters, revenge, and a sharp dose of acerbic wit, and this became a passion project for me.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of acerbic
Adjective
  • To the show’s credit, this Ultron is a highly entertaining creation, allowing Spader to layer some of his signature sardonic air to a character who’s still cynical, but much humbled from his supervillain days.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • But these anecdotes were leavened by her trademark sardonic humor.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of sardonic
Adjective
  • The interest has been driven largely by the brand's casual, sarcastic tone and active participation in online trends.
    — Megan Sauer, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Before the constant stream of sarcastic Ultron commentary wears out its welcome around the series’ halfway point, the bad guy’s brevity is a nice counterpoint to all of the sentient ennui.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of sarcastic
Adjective
  • This often caustic character study gives her a real showcase to stretch out and go to some truly dark places.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Hosted by Atlanta News First, the hourlong debate was caustic and the jabs often deeply personal.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of caustic
Adjective
  • Still, even with the Justice Department approving the WBD merger late last week without any concessions, the Paramount Skydance’s CEO’s happy face masked some spikey obstacles to the merger from overseas and in state houses over Ellison’s strategic bear hug with the ex-Apprentice host.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 June 2026
  • This will be a bumper quarter for oil and gas shareholders, who have always learned to stick it out through the doldrums for spikey periods like this.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of spiky
Adjective
  • Business models and strategies have a shelf life and go sour like milk left out too long.
    — Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • My mom’s siblings usually arrived in a sour mood without greeting anyone at the table, my aunt’s brow furrowed and my uncle wearing a sneaky smirk.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of sour
Adjective
  • Minnesota Timberwolves player Anthony Edwards has brought back his satirical Believe That Awards, which went viral in 2025 — reaching 150 million cross-platform views — for crowning Timothée Chalamet white boy of the year.
    — Selome Hailu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Cockroach movement began as an online satirical campaign this summer after India’s chief justice compared unemployed young people to parasites.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of satiric
Adjective
  • Attorneys for the country music icon’s estate claimed Seaver covered his front porch in barbed wire and yellow caution tape, thus delaying the formal delivery of the suit.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Their long, barbed tongues can easily wind into ant and termite homes, licking up the bugs inside.
    — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of barbed

Browse Nearby Words

sharp-sighted
sharp-tongued
sharp-witted
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Cite this Entry

“Sharp-tongued.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sharp-tongued. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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