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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Recent Examples of acerbic
In the rendition, recorded live at BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge, Beabadoobee recasts Carpenter’s acerbic pop-rock hit into something gentler, with a slightly countrified, acoustic-guitar-and-strings arrangement — almost how the Corrs would’ve done it.
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Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2024
The ladies’ acerbic tête-à-tête ends with Yas slapping Harper in the face, and Harper sending one open-faced palm right on back.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 15 Sep. 2024
Cummings was an acerbic political adviser who had spearheaded the 2016 Vote Leave campaign during the EU referendum.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 2 Oct. 2024
Dame Maggie Smith, the actor known for her crisp verbal flourishes, her timely ability to arch an eyebrow, and her tart, acerbic wit, has died, per her family and publicist.
—Isobel Thompson, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for acerbic 
Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2024
The ladies’ acerbic tête-à-tête ends with Yas slapping Harper in the face, and Harper sending one open-faced palm right on back.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 15 Sep. 2024
Cummings was an acerbic political adviser who had spearheaded the 2016 Vote Leave campaign during the EU referendum.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 2 Oct. 2024
Dame Maggie Smith, the actor known for her crisp verbal flourishes, her timely ability to arch an eyebrow, and her tart, acerbic wit, has died, per her family and publicist.
—Isobel Thompson, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for acerbic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbic
Adjective
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Others rocked up in hazmat suits in a sarcastic swipe at China’s stringent Covid control measures, which saw Shanghai locked down for roughly two months and sparked rare protests.Chris Lau, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024
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The sentiment is respectable — gun violence is bad — but the song’s satire feels half-baked because Martin just doesn’t have the sarcastic sensibility needed.Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Mann at his most satiric has Settembrini contributing an essay to a multivolume project whose purpose is to end suffering.George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
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Others are satiric vignettes—pointed takedowns of sham humanitarians, sham foreign journalists, sham white saviors and their sham schemes to save the continent—whose villains can read more like stock inventions than like surprising ones.Alexis Okeowo, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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For You, Too An additional reason for elevating your chicken soup with lemon rather than other acidic ingredients is the health benefits.Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024
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They are made by adding an acidic compound to creatine to help creatine absorb better and provide other nutrients that support sports performance.Merve Ceylan, Health, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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As proof of the threat, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office gathered reporters last week to go over Election Day protections, including new barbed wire atop the parking lot where elections workers park.Philip Elliott, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
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Back when barbed wire restricted freedom, Manzanar players found solace on a field that organizers and volunteers have now rebirthed and made their own.Emilie Ikeda, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Magnesium interferes with bisphosphonates used for osteoporosis, antibiotics, diuretics, and proton pump inhibitors used for acid reflux.8 Potassium: The kidneys regulate potassium levels.Amy Brownstein, MS, RDN, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
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This ensures that the acid and electrolyte levels in your blood (including sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium) remain at the ideal concentration.Kumkum S. Patel, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Acerbic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerbic. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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