as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
a professor with a rather acerb sense of humor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerb
Adjective
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And as trade speculation has risen, Harris reported a sarcastic one-word retort from the pitcher.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 July 2025 -
Their dynamic is not entirely unlike that of the upstart Nomi and established Cristal in Showgirls or the sarcastic Devon and beatific Michaela in Sirens: On one hand, Sophie wants to be as confident and self-possessed as Margo, as comfortable in her own skin and her desires.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The poem is part love quest, part account of Italy’s battles; in places profoundly serious, in places satiric.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
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Neither damning nor satiric, W. is oddly wistful, almost regretful — rare sentiments in a Stone film.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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From lo-fi hip-hop to chamber pop, from acid funk to orchestral rock, the fingerprints remain.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
15 June 2025
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The floors are done in chestnut-toned wood, with acid green carpets made from bamboo silk, while the VVIP suite has its own private sitting room.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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In oxygen-rich soil, microbes thrive, contributing to decay, and acidic pH levels erode natural materials like leather.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
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The sharp, slightly sour sauce brought the fries back to life with an acidic, satisfying kick.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Ivor checked it, and then spotted the line of barbed wire threaded through the scrub.—
Anne Enright,
New Yorker,
27 July 2025
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That speculative element is teased right there in the title: One of God’s best and brightest has been knocked from heaven by war’s tumult and is caught in a thatch of barbed wire.—
Ben H. Winters,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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Unlike today’s top tier defense attorneys, who try to keep big fee, white collar clients out of the papers, Keefe enjoyed the rough and tumble state’s criminal courts and could always delight reporters with an acerbic crack about the opposition.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
11 July 2025
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Nikki Glaser After crushing her hosting duties at the Golden Globes (she’s confirmed to return next year), Glaser, 41, is bringing her risqué acerbic wit to live audiences through October. 62.—
Andrea Lavinthal,
People.com,
18 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Acerb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerb. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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