acerbic

Meaning

1. Tasting sour or bitter.
2. (figuratively) Sharp, harsh, biting.

Synonyms

bitter

acerb

caustic

acrid

astringent

sharp

acid

tart

blistering

keen

biting

sulphurous

virulent

vitriolic

acute

sulfurous

pointed

shrill

waspish

acidulous

mordacious

spiky

cutting

strident

acrimonious

acidic

mordant

lurid

trenchant

poignant

rigorous

salty

sarcastic

severe

slick

smart

sore

sour

stern

stiff

strict

sulky

sullen

surly

unpalatable

unpleasant

vinegary

acuate

fulgurating

lancinate

Translations

acerbo

acerbe

acerbo

beißend

bitter

aigre

acerbus

cortante

acre

picante

heftig

scharf

acido

sauer

Pronounced as (IPA)

/əˈsɜː(ɹ)bɪk/

Etymology

Attested since the 17th century, from Latin acerbus (“sour, bitter”).