acridly

IPA/ˈæk.rɪd.li/
IPA/ˈæk.rɪd.li/

acridly — adverb

1. such that it produces a sharp, strong, and unpleasant smell or taste — used espe

1.副詞C1
釋義

such that it produces a sharp, strong, and unpleasant smell or taste — used especially of smoke, fumes, chemicals, or burnt material

例句

The old rubber boots smelled acridly of smoke and burnt plastic after the shed fire.

modifies 'smelled' for strong unpleasant odour

Wei coughed as the chemical mixture burned acridly in the test tube.

modifies 'burned' — acridly describes the chemical reaction's smell

同義詞
  • pungently

    less negative — suggests a strong smell that may be interesting rather than purely unpleasant

  • bitterly

    overlaps in taste contexts but more often used for emotional tone

  • sourly

    specific to acidic, sour smells; less intense than acridly

反義詞
  • sweetly

    pleasant, mild smell or taste — opposite of acridly sharp

  • gently

    mildly, as opposed to intensely and harshly

文法句型

verb + acridly (e.g. smelled acridly, burned acridly)

用法筆記

Only this literal sense describes actual smells or tastes. The verb it modifies is almost always one of perception — smell, taste, or burn — or a verb describing how smoke, fumes, or vapour fill a space.

常見錯誤

❌The coffee smelled acridly of fresh beans.
✅The coffee smelled acridly of burnt beans.
💡Acridly describes an unpleasant, sharp smell, not a pleasant or neutral one.
❌She spoke acridly about the burnt toast.
✅The burnt toast smelled acridly, filling the kitchen.
💡This sense only applies to smell/taste/burning, not to speech or manner.

2. in a cleverly critical or sarcastic way that reveals anger, bitterness, or unkin

2.副詞C1
釋義

in a cleverly critical or sarcastic way that reveals anger, bitterness, or unkindness — used of a remark, tone of voice, laugh, or written comment

例句

Eli laughed acridly when his rival's proposal was rejected by the board.

modifies 'laughed' — describes a scornful, bitter laugh

Tamás remarked acridly that the plan was doomed from the start.

同義詞
  • sarcastically

    more common; emphasises mocking irony rather than bitterness

  • caustically

    very close; suggests burning, corrosive criticism

  • bitterly

    less intellectual — focuses on the emotion of disappointment or resentment

  • cuttingly

    emphasises the hurtfulness of the remark to the listener

反義詞
  • warmly

    kind, friendly tone — opposite of acridly critical

  • gently

    soft, considerate manner

文法句型

verb + acridly (e.g. remarked acridly, laughed acridly)

用法筆記

The figurative sense of acridly always implies a combination of cleverness or wit and hostility. Unlike 'angrily', which is purely emotional, acridly suggests the speaker is deliberately choosing sharp words for effect. Frequent in literary description and formal criticism.

常見錯誤

❌She shouted acridly at the waiter.
✅She remarked acridly that the service was unusually slow.
💡Acridly implies a cutting, clever tone, not raw shouting. It works best with deliberate, controlled expressions.
❌He cried acridly about the loss.
✅He laughed acridly and said the loss was exactly what the team deserved.
💡Crying is emotional release, not clever criticism. Acridly pairs with reactions that show scorn or bitterness.