1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality
doesn't like the asperity of most experimental music
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in severity
biting sharpness of feeling or expression
she responded with such asperity that we knew she was deeply offended by the question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hardship
something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal
He overcame his share of asperities on the road to success.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of asperity
Faults typically contain surface irregularities, known as asperities, which prevent smooth movement between tectonic plates.
—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
What gives the movie much of its poignancy and power is Hart’s realization, and ours, that the asperity and regret showcased in his famous lyrics are no longer in fashion.
—
Peter Rainer,
Christian Science Monitor,
23 Oct. 2025
Advertisement On a re-read, Orwell’s narrative holds up, in large part due to the asperity of the prose and the prescient description of how fascism can creep into any society that takes freedom for granted.
—
Bethanne Patrick,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Oct. 2023
Her asperity has brought upon her the full flaming rage of the Twittersphere.
—
Meghan Cox Gurdon,
WSJ,
2 Oct. 2022
Imagine Don Draper’s grasp of American psychopathology delivered with the pithy asperity of Emily Dickinson.
—
Megan O’Grady,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2020
By the time Keane wrote Devoted Ladies, a note of asperity had crept into her fiction.
—
Francine Prose,
The New York Review of Books,
22 Nov. 2018
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
What gives the movie much of its poignancy and power is Hart’s realization, and ours, that the asperity and regret showcased in his famous lyrics are no longer in fashion.
—
Peter Rainer,
Christian Science Monitor,
23 Oct. 2025
Advertisement On a re-read, Orwell’s narrative holds up, in large part due to the asperity of the prose and the prescient description of how fascism can creep into any society that takes freedom for granted.
—
Bethanne Patrick,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Oct. 2023
Her asperity has brought upon her the full flaming rage of the Twittersphere.
—
Meghan Cox Gurdon,
WSJ,
2 Oct. 2022
Imagine Don Draper’s grasp of American psychopathology delivered with the pithy asperity of Emily Dickinson.
—
Megan O’Grady,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2020
By the time Keane wrote Devoted Ladies, a note of asperity had crept into her fiction.
—
Francine Prose,
The New York Review of Books,
22 Nov. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for asperity
Noun
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In the case of Alito and Thomas, there is also a striking note of bitterness.
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Looking back now, however, there is no bitterness attached to that chapter.
Noun
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Emergency drain cleaning runs $400 to $1,000 or more, depending on severity.
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While most wildfires in the past burned slowly across the forest floor, providing benefits to the forest, high-severity fires roar into the tops of the trees, burning 1,000 degrees or hotter, with flames that can reach 200 feet tall.
Noun
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My history has been shaped by hardship, self-discovery and a relentless pursuit of purpose.
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So as opposed to, say, inspiring American leaders of all kinds, like a real explanation of the character of Harriet Tubman or of Chief Joseph or Americans struggled against real hardships.
Noun
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The Americans came out energized in the second half and a Berhalter banger from the edge of the penalty area tied it up 2-2 in the 49th minute.
-
The Samurai Blue have the edge on shots, 2-1, but Sweden has the lone shot on target so far through 25 minutes.
Noun
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Engelbert has consistently mismanaged the overt physical hostility directed at the league's biggest star.
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Today, however, some experts suggest that explicit displays of racial hostility have become more visible in public spaces.
Noun
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This game preserves the difficulty of coming up with an elaborate, consistent false narrative on the spot, and the challenge of adapting that narrative on the fly when other players present convincing (and sometimes fake) counter-evidence.
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Even if polls point to a majority, a potential coalition spanning left, right, center and Arab parties would face real difficulty forming a government – and keeping it together.
Noun
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The state averages about eight unprovoked bites each year, according to the FWC, which runs a statewide program to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property.
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Keeping bug spray handy can help protect against annoying bites, while placing citronella candles around your yard or patio can keep pests at bay, especially once the sun sets.
Noun
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Google also mentioned that the system could do more general hypothesizing that doesn’t involve drugs, using an example of the spread of virulence genes in bacteria.
-
Flu has overtaken covid in infections and hospitalizations during the winter respiratory virus season, and their virulence is becoming similar.
Cite this Entry
“Asperity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asperity. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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