Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- adj. Sour or bitter tasting; acid. See Synonyms at bitter.
- adj. Sharp or biting, as in character or expression: "At times, the playwright allows an acerbic tone to pierce through otherwise arid or flowery prose” ( Alvin Klein).
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- Of a harsh character.
Wiktionary
- adj. Sour or bitter.
- adj. Sarcastic or cynical.
- adj. Sharp-tempered.
- adj. Sour or bitter.
- adj. Sarcastic or cynical.
- adj. Sharp-tempered.
GNU Webster's 1913
- adj. Sour or severe.
WordNet 3.0
- adj. sour or bitter in taste
- adj. harsh or corrosive in tone
Etymologies
- From Latin acerbus; see ak- in Indo-European roots.
Examples
“Jane Lynch, known as acerbic cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on "Glee," will host the event.”
“Frances, 69, best known as the acerbic host of The Weakest Link, is the only silent presence in the room.”
“Beatrice Arthur, best known as the acerbic Maude Findlay on Norman Lear's sitcom "Maude" and as the strong-willed Dorothy Zbornak on the long-running "The Golden Girls," died Saturday.”
“Beatrice Arthur, best known as the acerbic Maude Findlay on Norman Lear's television sitcom”
“Beatrice Arthur, best known as the acerbic Maude Findlay on Norman Lear's sitcom "Maude" and as the strong-willed Dorothy Zbornak on the long-running "The Golden Girls," died today.”
“Cowell, 50, best-known as the acerbic judge on America's top-rated TV singing contest”
“Cowell, 50, best-known as the acerbic judge on America's top-rated TV singing contest American Idol, told the British version of GQ magazine he had partnered with British retail billionaire Sir Philip Green on the new X-Factor.”
“Cowell, 50, best-known as the acerbic judge on America's top-rated TV singing contest "American Idol", told the British version of GQ magazine he had partnered with British retail billionaire Sir Philip Green on the new "X-Factor".”
Yahoo! News: Latest news headlines News Headlines | Top Stories
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘acerbic’.
-
Describing the Taste of Foods
yummy, zesty, piquant, pungent, sharp, spicy, poignant, delicious, ambrosial, appetizing, delectable, heavenly and 194 more...
-
jaydrox's list
Mah list!
mediocracy, captivatingly, devastatingly, dazedly, heavenly, flawless, copious, conviction, synoptic, amalgamation, prefatory, precursory and 150 more...
-
In provocation
When exasperated, vexed or distressed.
bunkum, pananxiety, hokum, odor of sanctity, facade of strength, bumpkin, sardonic, Philistine, Vandal, dilettante, acerbic, acrid and 11 more...
-
Emotions
affection, longing, cheerfulness, pride, optimism, relief, success, suprise, irritation, rage, hope, love and 29 more...
-
good,everyday use
ballsy, somber, acerbic, gouge, muffin top, decrepit, bumping monkeys
strev the poison pen Mar 11, 2011
johnmperry similar to mordant Jun 23, 2008
halcyonwhimsy acid in temper, mood, or tone
lovely possibilities here :) Oct 2, 2007