corrosive

adjective

cor·​ro·​sive kə-ˈrō-siv How to pronounce corrosive (audio)
-ziv
1
: tending or having the power to corrode
corrosive acids
corrosive action
the corrosive effects of alcoholism
2
: bitingly sarcastic
corrosive satire
corrosive noun
corrosively adverb
corrosiveness noun

Examples of corrosive in a Sentence

She argues that racism is dangerous and corrosive to society. a corrosive satire on the fashion industry and its movers and shakers
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Business insiders, shielded by their political sponsors, posted profits while everyone else suffered the corrosive effects of inflation. Javier Corrales, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 His history is filled with the corrosive effects of fear, the seductions of ambition, the failures of leadership and the tragic unraveling of judgment. Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 15 Apr. 2025 More than climate change, pandemics, wars, trade wars, or corrosive politics, the world is suffering from Dialogue Deficiency. Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025 If Belinda’s lightning-fast transformation is a cipher for Mike White’s thoughts on the corrosive power of money, then perhaps Laurie’s emotional speech comes closest to explaining how a good life could be oriented. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for corrosive

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corrosif, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin corrōsīvus, from Latin corrōsus, past participle of corrōdere "to gnaw, corrode" + -īvus -ive

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of corrosive was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Corrosive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corrosive. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

corrosive

adjective
cor·​ro·​sive kə-ˈrō-siv How to pronounce corrosive (audio)
-ziv
: tending or having the power to corrode
corrosive acids
corrosive noun
corrosively adverb
corrosiveness noun

Medical Definition

corrosive

1 of 2 adjective
cor·​ro·​sive -ˈrō-siv, -ziv How to pronounce corrosive (audio)
: tending or having the power to corrode
corrosive acids
a corrosive gas
corrosiveness noun

corrosive

2 of 2 noun
: a substance that corrodes : caustic

More from Merriam-Webster on corrosive

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