as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
whispered a steady stream of acerbic comments as the lecturer droned on
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of acerbic
Matthew Goode is phenomenal as the acerbic DCI Morck, but so is every other actor on the series.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Gary Oldman plays the acerbic Jackson Lamb, the odoriferous chief of Slough House where MI5 agents who just can’t cut it – or who are being punished for one reason or another – are sent.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Even the most vegan among us can’t resist a bleeding slice of Broadway beef: Andrew Lloyd Webber, President Trump, and Madonna have all been targets of her acerbic commentary.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 28 May 2025
Jean Smart has earned three Emmys for her portrayal of acerbic Vegas comedy legend Deborah Vance, and Hannah Einbinder has established her career bona fides (and earned three Emmy nominations) as Deborah’s not-exactly-loyal employee, 20-something comedy writer Ava Daniels.
—Akiva Gottlieb, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Gary Oldman plays the acerbic Jackson Lamb, the odoriferous chief of Slough House where MI5 agents who just can’t cut it – or who are being punished for one reason or another – are sent.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Even the most vegan among us can’t resist a bleeding slice of Broadway beef: Andrew Lloyd Webber, President Trump, and Madonna have all been targets of her acerbic commentary.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 28 May 2025
Jean Smart has earned three Emmys for her portrayal of acerbic Vegas comedy legend Deborah Vance, and Hannah Einbinder has established her career bona fides (and earned three Emmy nominations) as Deborah’s not-exactly-loyal employee, 20-something comedy writer Ava Daniels.
—Akiva Gottlieb, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbic
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
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Before Black millennial shorthand even existed, there was Maxine Shaw, Attorney at Law—fiercely ambitious, sarcastic, soft in all the right places—and unapologetically Black.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
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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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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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
Cite this Entry
“Acerbic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerbic. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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