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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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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of caustic Cher is a bracing read, peppered with caustic quips and self-effacing anecdotes, but fundamentally frank. —

Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024 Gaetz has long been a caustic critic of the Justice Department that was investigating him. —

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2024 There is one reason for hope despite their caustic rhetoric: during the Progressive Era, the quest for government by experts came from the business world. —

Laura Ellyn Smith / Made By History, TIME, 3 Dec. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for caustic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for caustic

Adjective

If someone calls you out for being sarcastic, here are some ways to recover and mend the miscommunication Be mindful of your filter.

— Anne Sugar, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
If the landing is bad, applause would be insultingly sarcastic.

— Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 16 Jan. 2025