acerbic
adjective /əˈsɜː.bɪk/
/-ˈsɝː-/ formalDefinition
› describes something that is spoken or written in a way that is direct, clever, and cruel: The letters show the acerbic wit for which Parker was both admired and feared.Unkind, cruel and unfeelingViolent or aggressiveTreating people or animals badlyInsults and abuse acerbity /əˈsɜː.bə.ti/
/-ˈsɝː.bə.t̬i/ noun [U]
/-ˈsɝː.bə.t̬i/ noun [U] (Definition of acerbic adjective from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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Synonyms and related words:
- acidly adverb
- backbiting noun
- backhanded adjective
- barbaric adjective
- barbarism noun
- barbarity noun
- bilious adjective
- cutthroat adjective
- fiendish adjective
- hard-hearted adjective
- have a heart of stone idiom
- have a sharp tongue idiom
- insensible adjective
- malign adjective
- remorseless adjective
- ruthless adjective
- sadism noun
- savagery noun
- severe adjective (NOT KIND)
- waspish adjective
Topic:
Unkind, cruel & unfeeling
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