sharp-tongued
Definition
Adjective: - Having a tendency to speak in a harsh, critical, or cutting manner: "sharp-tongued" describes a person who habitually uses words that are unkind, sarcastic, or blunt, often causing offense or hurt.
Usage Examples
- (Her words were cutting and critical.)
- (He speaks harshly, though not with ill intent.)
- (The critic used harsh, direct language.)
Advanced Usage
"a sharp-tongued retort": a quick, biting reply.
- She gave a sharp-tongued retort to his insult. (She responded with a cutting remark.)
"sharp-tongued wit": clever but unkind humour.
- His sharp-tongued wit made him both admired and feared in social circles. (His humour was sharp and often hurtful.)
Variants and Related Words
- Sharp (adj): having a fine edge or point; also, mentally acute or cutting in speech.
- He has a sharp mind. (He is intelligent.)
- Tongue (n): the organ of speech; also, a way of speaking.
- She has a sharp tongue. (She speaks in a harsh or critical manner.)
- Sharp-tonguedness (n): the quality of being sharp-tongued.
- His sharp-tonguedness often alienates people. (His habit of speaking harshly drives others away.)
Synonyms
- Acerbic: sharp and forthright in tone, often with a touch of bitterness.
- Her acerbic comments left no room for argument. (Her words were sharp and direct.)
- Caustic: sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way.
- His caustic wit could cut through any pretence. (His humour was biting and corrosive.)
- Biting: harshly critical or sarcastic.
- She made a biting remark about his work. (Her criticism was severe.)
Related Idioms
- Have a sharp tongue: to habitually speak in a harsh or critical manner.
- Even as a child, she had a sharp tongue. (She spoke unkindly from a young age.)
- Tongue-lashing: a severe scolding or reprimand.
- He gave his son a tongue-lashing for being late. (He scolded him harshly.)
- Bite one's tongue: to refrain from speaking, especially to avoid saying something hurtful.
- Despite his anger, he bit his tongue. (He stayed silent to avoid causing offense.)