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
This brilliantly acerbic novel is set up as a millennial comedy of manners, but when Remy and Alicia head to the Hamptons for a surf weekend with Instagram-baddie Jen, a pair of glowing eyes in the bushes is just the first indication that things are very, very wrong.
—
Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Jackie Prutsman is suitably acerbic and Aspen Thompson has particular fun with some physical comedy in the second act.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
In her first major big-screen role since May December, an icy-blonde Natalie Portman is Polina Polinski, an ambitious gallerist gearing up for her Art Basel premiere, in this acerbic art world satire from Cathy Yan (Dead Pigs).
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2026
During her speech, Paulson shared a bunch of text messages Keaton had sent her over the years, all of which were at once warm and acerbic, kind and a playfully combative.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Jackie Prutsman is suitably acerbic and Aspen Thompson has particular fun with some physical comedy in the second act.
—Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2026
In her first major big-screen role since May December, an icy-blonde Natalie Portman is Polina Polinski, an ambitious gallerist gearing up for her Art Basel premiere, in this acerbic art world satire from Cathy Yan (Dead Pigs).
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2026
During her speech, Paulson shared a bunch of text messages Keaton had sent her over the years, all of which were at once warm and acerbic, kind and a playfully combative.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acerbic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbic
Adjective
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In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
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Peters then offered a sarcastic parting line and left the set.—
Ryan Brennan
April 15,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Advertisement How the shooting unfolded The WHCA dinner is an annual event for White House staff and the press, typically featuring comedy and a satirical speech from the president.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
26 Apr. 2026
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Now, the 67-year-old is taking on Broadway in The Balusters, a satirical comedy written by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Kenny Leon.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In some parts of the world, rivers near cobalt and copper mines have become so acidic that communities can no longer drink water from them.—
Abraham Nunbogu,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Ideally, lavender should be grown in soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline, but never acidic.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Dense rows of Xs in the background suggest barbed wire.—
Ben Davis,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
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The barbed fact is that the woman caught in the middle of this unusual male arrangement benefits from none of their newfound emotional enlightenment.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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If choosing wines, focus on bright, higher-acid white wines that cut through the mouth-coating fattiness of cheese.—
Anna Lee Iijima,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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This summery salad is a lesson in salt, fat, acid, and heat.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acerbic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerbic. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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