Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sharp, bitter, or irritating quality, especially in taste or smell: "acridity" refers to a pungent, often unpleasant sharpness that can affect the senses.
   • Sharpness or bitterness in language or tone: "acridity" can describe a harsh, caustic, or bitterly critical manner of expression.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The acridity of the smoke made our eyes water. (The sharp, irritating quality of the smoke made our eyes water.)
  • Her speech was noted for its acridity, leaving the audience stunned. (Her speech was noted for its bitter sharpness in tone, leaving the audience stunned.)
  • The acridity of the unripe fruit was overwhelming. (The sharp, bitter taste of the unripe fruit was overwhelming.)

Advanced Usage

• "with acridity": in a sharply bitter or harsh manner.
  • He replied with surprising acridity. (He replied in a surprisingly sharp and bitter manner.)

Variants and Related Words

• Acrid (adj): having a sharply bitter, pungent, or irritating taste or smell; caustic in language or tone.
  • The chemical has an acrid odor.
• Acridness (n): a synonym for acridity, meaning the state or quality of being acrid.

Synonyms

• Pungency: a sharply strong taste or smell.
• Causticity: severity or biting sharpness, especially in expression.
• Bitterness: sharpness of taste; intense resentment or cynicism.

Related Phrases

• Acrid remark: a comment that is sharply critical or bitter.
  • His acrid remarks damaged team morale. (His sharply bitter comments damaged team morale.)

Related Idioms

• To leave an acrid taste (in one's mouth): to leave a feeling of bitterness or resentment.
  • The unfair decision left an acrid taste in everyone's mouth. (The unfair decision left a feeling of bitterness with everyone.)

Noun

1. the quality of being sharply disagreeable in language or tone
2. extreme bitterness
   • the acridity of alkali
3. having an acrid smell