acerbity
/ə'sə:biti/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A rough and bitter manner: A sharpness or harshness in speech, tone, or attitude, often expressing anger, criticism, or resentment.
- A sharp sour taste: A tart, acidic, or astringent flavor, like that of an unripe fruit.
- A sharp bitterness: An intense, often unpleasant, bitter quality, which can apply to both taste and figurative expressions.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Manner):
- Her acerbity during the debate alienated potential supporters.
- He replied with unexpected acerbity, his words laced with sarcasm.
- Noun (Taste):
- The acerbity of the green apple made her lips pucker.
- The wine had a pleasant acerbity that complemented the rich cheese.
- Noun (Bitterness):
- The acerbity of the medicine was hard for the child to swallow.
- His memoir is remembered for its intellectual acerbity.
Advanced Usage
- "with acerbity": Used to describe an action performed in a sharp, bitter manner.
- "That is patently untrue," she said with some acerbity.
- Figurative use for criticism: Often describes the harsh, biting quality of written or spoken critique.
- The critic's reviews were known for their wit and acerbity.
Variants and Related Words
- Acerbic (adj): Having a sour or bitter taste or character; sharp and forthright in speech or tone.
- He made an acerbic comment about the politician's performance.
- Acerbate (verb, rare): To make sour or bitter; to exasperate.
- (Rarely used) The failed negotiations served only to acerbate the conflict.
Synonyms
- For manner: Sharpness, harshness, tartness, asperity, sarcasm, causticity.
- For taste: Sourness, tartness, acidity, astringency.
- For bitterness: Bitterness, pungency.
Antonyms
- For manner: Sweetness, mildness, gentleness, kindness.
- For taste: Sweetness, blandness.
- For bitterness: Sweetness, mildness.
Noun
- a rough and bitter manner
- a sharp sour taste
- a sharp bitterness