acerbic
adjective
Sharp and forthright, especially in speech or manner; bitter or cutting in tone. Describes a harsh, acid quality in expression.
Etymology
From Latin "acerbus" (sour-tasting, harsh), related to "acer" (sharp, keen). The word connects physical tartness with sharp speech.
Examples in Use
- 1.
"The critic's acerbic reviews terrified young performers."
- 2.
"Her acerbic wit made her the most quoted columnist."
- 3.
"He delivered acerbic commentary on the political situation."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
Dorothy Parker was famous for acerbic one-liners. When asked to use "horticulture" in a sentence, she reportedly said, "You can lead a horticulture but you can't make her think."
Word Game Tips
Letters: 7 letters (A, C, E, R, B, I, C)
Scrabble Value: 13 points
Tip: Try building from common prefixes or suffixes when you spot these letters.
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