CAUSTIC Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

caustic

adjective

ˈkȯ-stik

Definition of caustic next

as in sarcastic

marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings caustic movie reviews that serve mainly to show how clever the reviewer is

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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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of caustic Your brother-in-law’s hospitality is a fine gesture that gets completely ruined by his caustic behavior. —

R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2024 The caustic atmosphere surrounding the fight sparked a melee outside the octagon immediately after it was finished, and eventually led to suspensions for Nurmagomedov and McGregor. —

Lauren Merola, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024 Clashes over the war and domestic politics The relationship between both men was rarely cordial and often caustic. —

Tara John, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024 The question is posed by a young man (Josh O’Connor) interviewing a prickly Miller (Kate Winslet) about her life and work at her home in England in 1977, probing and provoking her in the hopes of extracting more profound answers than her usual caustic one-liners. —

Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for caustic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for caustic

Adjective

As the group grows, so do the number of sarcastic or unserious posts and comments within it.

Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
His gibes at China on X were often aggressive and sarcastic.

Motoko Rich, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2024