Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Harsh, sharp, or bitter in tone, mood, or expression: Describes speech, criticism, or wit that is severe, cutting, and often sarcastic.
   • Sour or bitter in taste: Describes a sharp, astringent, or acidic flavor, often unpleasantly so.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective (Tone):
  • The critic's acerb review left the author feeling devastated.
  • Her acerb wit was both admired and feared at the dinner party.
• Adjective (Taste):
  • The unripe persimmon had an unpleasantly acerb flavor.
  • The wine's acerb aftertaste lingered on the palate.

Advanced Usage

• "acerb commentary": Sharp and critical commentary.
  • The journalist was known for his acerb commentary on government policy.
• "an acerb remark": A single cutting or bitter comment.
  • She regretted her acerb remark as soon as she said it.

Variants and Related Words

• Acerbic (adj): The more commonly used form, with identical meanings to 'acerb' (harsh in tone; bitter in taste).
  • He delivered his opinions in an acerbic manner.
• Acerbity (n): The quality of being acerbic; sharpness or bitterness.
  • The acerbity of his tone was unmistakable.

Synonyms

• Acrimonious: Bitter and angry in tone.
• Caustic: Bitingly sarcastic or severe.
• Vitriolic: Filled with bitter criticism or malice.
• Tart: Sharp or biting, especially in taste or manner.

Antonyms

• Mild: Gentle and not harsh.
• Sweet: Pleasant in taste; kind in manner.
• Bland: Lacking strong flavor; uninteresting.
• Gentle: Mild and kind in temperament or speech.

Adjective

1. harsh or corrosive in tone
   • an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose
   • a barrage of acid comments
   • her acrid remarks make her many enemies
   • bitter words
   • blistering criticism
   • caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics
   • a sulfurous denunciation
   • a vitriolic critique
2. sour or bitter in taste