acerbic
/əˈsɜːbɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈsɜːrbɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈsər-bik a-/ (ame, mw)
acerbic — adjective
- acerbicpositive
- more acerbiccomparative
- most acerbicsuperlative
1. expressing criticism or judgement in words that are clever and biting, often mak
expressing criticism or judgement in words that are clever and biting, often making the listener feel hurt while also admiring how sharply it was said.
Yael's acerbic review of the new restaurant made the chef furious for days.
acerbic + noun (review, comment, remark) — describing a piece of writing or speech
The professor was famous for her acerbic wit and feared by every new student.
acerbic wit — a very common collocation about a person's style of humour
Felix made an acerbic comment about the manager's new haircut during the meeting.
Critics described the play's dialogue as acerbic but also painfully honest about modern marriage.
Sirin replied to the rude email in an acerbic tone that her boss later asked her to soften.
- caustic
very close synonym; slightly stronger and more clearly aggressive
- biting
more everyday; emphasises the pain caused more than the cleverness
- sardonic
darker and more cynical; suggests scornful amusement rather than direct attack
- tart
milder; suggests a quick sharp reply rather than sustained criticism
用法筆記
Most often used of speech, writing, or a person's wit or tone — not of physical things. Common collocates: wit, tone, comment, remark, review, humour. The cleverness is part of the meaning; pure rudeness without wit is better described as 'cutting' or 'harsh'.