acerbic

[uh-sur-bik] /əˈsɜr bɪk/
adjective
1.
sour or astringent in taste:
Lemon juice is acerbic.
2.
harsh or severe, as of temper or expression:
acerbic criticism.
Origin
1860-65; < Latin acerb(us) sour, unripe, bitterly harsh + -ic, irregular for -ous
Related forms
acerbically, adverb
unacerbic, adjective
unacerbically, adverb
Can be confused
acerbic, acid, acrid.
Examples from the web for acerbic
  • Again, for all the acerbic social messages, there exists a psychological economy that is particularly American.
  • Correcting someone's grammar, or making acerbic jokes, can have consequences.
  • For sharp characterization and wry, generally acerbic comments on relationships, Shapiro outclasses most of her peers.
  • It is deftly written with occasional flashes of acerbic wit.
  • If you want sympathy, as you say, you make it difficult by being so acerbic.
  • Gates's acerbic, down-to-earth journal entries do an excellent job of conveying their shape and texture.
  • You're acerbic, outspoken, but fiercely loyal.
  • He was feared for his acerbic tongue and unflinching refusal to compromise.
  • Harrison enlivens this very basic thriller premise with some acerbic portraits of the people involved in the scam.
  • The remaining seven stories are equally edgy, acerbic and unsparing.
British Dictionary definitions for acerbic

acerbic

/əˈsɜːbɪk/
adjective
1.
harsh, bitter, or astringent; sour
Word Origin
C17: from Latin acerbus sour, bitter
Word Origin and History for acerbic
adj.

1865, originally, and usually, figurative: "sour, harsh, severe" (of speech, manners, etc.), from Latin acerbus "harsh to the taste, sharp, bitter, sour" (see acerbity) + -ic.