Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective caustic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of caustic are acrid, mordant, and scathing. While all these words mean "stingingly incisive," caustic suggests a biting wit.

caustic comments

When is acrid a more appropriate choice than caustic?

While the synonyms acrid and caustic are close in meaning, acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence.

acrid invective

In what contexts can mordant take the place of caustic?

In some situations, the words mordant and caustic are roughly equivalent. However, mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

mordant reviews of the play

When might scathing be a better fit than caustic?

Although the words scathing and caustic have much in common, scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity.

a scathing satire

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 caustic Bleach — especially the chlorine type — is highly caustic. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025 Losing Lewis’ caustic energy is a problem that has yet to be compensated for in the four episodes critics were given, none of which feature some of the new season’s higher-profile additions like Hilary Swank. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025 He’s seen his power diminish on a parallel track with both his health and his relationship with Trump, who once praised him as an ally but has taken to criticizing him in caustic terms. Bruce Schreiner, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025 Meanwhile, a conversation between Orsolya and her caustic mom (Annamária Biluska) reveals their origins as Hungarians who emigrated to Transylvania, a Romanian region filled with both pro and anti-Hungarian sentiment (also the subject of Mungiu’s excellent 2022 drama, R.M.N.). Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for caustic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caustic
Adjective
  • Seinfeld is a Jewish man from New York’s Long Island with a wry and sarcastic sense of humor.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Others lose a sense of trust by the sarcastic digs, eye rolls, interrupting, or belittling.
    Rachel Glik, Contributor, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Misery, a horror movie with a satiric streak, launched Bates’s film stardom.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The real star of the show, though, is not the satiric script or the campy performances, but rather how each character brings their own unique approach to dressing for the corporate ladder.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The minerals transformed into alkaline magnesium oxide and calcium silicate, both of which react quickly with acidic CO2 in the air.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Angelonia angustifolia Sun Exposure: Full Soil Type: Fertile, moist, well-draining Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (5.5-6.8) USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11 Commonly called summer snapdragon, this low-maintenance bloomer thrives in the heat and humidity of Southern gardens.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Black dragons are the ultimate swamp monsters that shoot an acid breath attack.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The missing link between a so-so dish and a stellar one is often acid.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Mengistu, a member of Israel's Ethiopian minority, entered the territory by crossing a barbed wire fence into Gaza.
    ASSOCIATED PRESS, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025
  • All pennies will henceforth be exiled to Guantanamo to live out their lives as former currency in orange jumpsuits, behind barbed wire, only inches from the best beaches ever.
    Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Writing of the conditions in which both Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin arose, Arendt described a spirit of deep, corrosive cynicism and nihilistic glee at the inversion of old standards.
    Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Brazil and South Africa, as democratic members of BRICS, should exploit their weight in the organization to counteract the potentially corrosive efforts of authoritarian members.
    David Koranyi, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Caustic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caustic. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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