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
Unsurprisingly, Stan and Pearson have noticed that viewers sometimes don’t know what to make of Schimberg’s acerbic sense of humor.
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Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Moore was, understandably, a bit floored initially that the acerbic actor of Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and Blade Runner fame had any interest in Marvel, let alone taking over a role from a late Oscar winner.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Adams excels at that sweet-and-sour paradox, and Marielle Heller’s adaptation succeeds in capturing the acerbic humor of Rachel Yoder’s 2021 novel.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
The writing across all of these works is vivid, acerbic, unflinching.
—Negar Azimi, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for acerbic 
Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Moore was, understandably, a bit floored initially that the acerbic actor of Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and Blade Runner fame had any interest in Marvel, let alone taking over a role from a late Oscar winner.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Adams excels at that sweet-and-sour paradox, and Marielle Heller’s adaptation succeeds in capturing the acerbic humor of Rachel Yoder’s 2021 novel.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
The writing across all of these works is vivid, acerbic, unflinching.
—Negar Azimi, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for acerbic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbic
Adjective
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But Baldoni alleges that the Times ignored additional context in the same text exchange that indicates Nathan and Abel were joking and being sarcastic.Brian Welk, IndieWire, 31 Dec. 2024
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Frustrated that people do not believe his consistent response to the same question, his tone grew sarcastic.Emmanuel Morgan, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The show isn't satiric so much as amused by the absurd lengths to which the Kaylas of our society will go in pursuit of self-definition.Tom Gliatto, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
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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
Adjective
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However, raisins don't make your mouth more acidic, which is one component in promoting cavities.Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
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June • For camellia, citrus, gardenia, grape and other plants adapted to acidic soil: If leaves are yellowing (chlorotic) between green veins, plants may benefit from foliar or soil application of iron and zinc chelate and mulching.The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Yoon’s guards have increased security at his Seoul residential compound with barbed wire installations and bus barricades.Ryan Hogg, Fortune Asia, 10 Jan. 2025
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The fence angered local ranchers and outdoor enthusiasts, who gathered in the forest in late October to tear down the Free Land Holders’ fence posts and barbed wire.Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Since azaleas are acid soil-loving plants, pine needles, aged pine bark, or leaf mold are ideal mulches.Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2024
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Last year, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality fined Intel for failing to control air emissions of acid gases at its Hillsboro chip production facility.Arlene Blum, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Acerbic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerbic. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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