tart 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtärt How to pronounce tart (audio)
Definition of tartnext
1
as in acidic
causing or characterized by the one of the basic taste sensations that is produced chiefly by acids I didn't add enough sugar to the lemonade, and now it's way too tart

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings responded to the heckler with a tart comeback

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tart

2 of 2

noun

informal + disapproving
as in prostitute
a woman who engages in sexual activities for money another movie featuring an Old West saloon scene with the requisite gamblers, gunslingers, and tarts

Synonyms & Similar 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 tart
Adjective
The apple pieces cook up nice and tender without becoming mushy, adding bright and tart pops of fresh fruit flavor throughout the scone. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2026 The cocktails take similarly clever turns, including the Rakişikli, a tart blend of raki, mastiha liqueur, and melon juice topped with grated cheese. — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
The apples provide a surprising but delightful sweetness to the tart, vinegary red cabbage. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2026 Sweet-tart apples tossed with a little brown sugar get topped with a buttery, oat topping and baked until golden brown. — Maddy Bendgen, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tart
  1. acidic
  2. sarcastic
  3. prostitute
  4. acid
  5. satiric
  6. hooker
  7. sour
  8. barbed
Adjective
  • Other novelists have turned to acidic, class-conscious portraits of the underemployed—see Andrew Martin and Halle Butler.
    — Ryan Chapman, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
  • To set your lettuce up for success, plant it in an area with full sun and slightly acidic, well-draining soil.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of acidic
Adjective
  • Fresh Air critic John Powers describes it as a unique blend of creepiness, sarcastic humor and political anger, unlike anything else on TV.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This hampers several of my favorite performances, especially Harper, whose Ben is full of sarcastic indignation, and June Laporte as Ginny, an aspiring reporter in need of proper mentoring.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of sarcastic
Noun
  • Going hunting for a prostitute in a trailer park wasn't the smartest thing San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York ever did and the NFL on Friday fined and suspended him for it.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The mayor is missing, the mafia is involved, a mad scientist rules the basement and all the prostitutes are vampires.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of prostitute
Adjective
  • Learning to season food, growing comfortable with adding salt—and ultimately acid, spice, and sweetness—according to your own preferences, is what home cooking is all about.
    — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The idea that these two would have a five-minute-or-less breakup conversation, then plop down on the couch and happily embark on an acid trip together, strains credulity a little, even for this bizarre, codependent friend group.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of acid
Adjective
  • However, the film faced rejection from film festivals like Sundance and SXSW, and struggled to secure traditional studio distribution because of its controversial, pitch-black satirical premise about school shootings and social media.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In 1982, the actress was cast as one of the leads on the satirical comedy Filthy Rich.
    — Maggie Fremont, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of satiric
Noun
  • Depending on what the alleged hooker’s name was, maybe York was just trying to stay under the Valerie cap?
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Skipper and scrumhalf Lucu darted over after a strong run into contact from his hooker Lamothe and touched down on the half-hour to score France’s fourth try, securing a bonus competition point.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Definition of hooker
Adjective
  • But with the concerns surrounding high-profile security breaches escalating, and public sentiment toward AI companies turning decidedly sour heading into the November midterm elections, calls for regulation are only likely to grow louder.
    — Ari Levy, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
  • And members of these new churches were mostly not the black-dressed, hypocritical, sour-faced, monocultural figures favored by popular narrative, but often included colorful figures who were sometimes surprisingly modern in their desires.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of sour
Adjective
  • The state oversees different types of facilities for kids in the justice system, ranging in security level from group homes to prisons surrounded by barbed wire.
    — Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Which is to say, this is more a barbed comedy of manners than a proper, elegant period piece.
    — Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of barbed

Browse Nearby Words

tars
tart
Tartarean
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Cite this Entry

“Tart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tart. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tart

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tart

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