acerb
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- 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
- sour or bitter in taste