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GRE vocabulary

acerbic

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore A words

sharp and biting in tone or expression

Word origin: From Latin acerbus, harsh or bitter.

In a sentence

Acerbic in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing acerbic in a sentence.

The critic was famous for his acerbic reviews of overhyped restaurants.

The columnist's acerbic review left the playwright's debut in tatters within a single paragraph.

Synonyms
Antonyms
gentlemildsweet
Usage & nuance

Using “acerbic” well

Acerbic describes speech or writing that is sharp and biting, usually with a critical or sarcastic edge. It is more cutting and personal than merely sharp or pointed.

Common questions

Questions about “acerbic

Acerbic (adjective) means sharp and biting in tone or expression
Here is acerbic used in an example sentence: "The critic was famous for his acerbic reviews of overhyped restaurants." Another example: "The columnist's acerbic review left the playwright's debut in tatters within a single paragraph."
Common synonyms for acerbic include caustic, tart, mordant.
Antonyms of acerbic include gentle, mild, sweet.
Acerbic clusters with caustic, tart, and mordant in Sentence Equivalence. Its antonyms gentle, mild, and sweet mark the softer tone a passage may contrast it against.
Yes. Acerbic is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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