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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective acrid contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of acrid are caustic, mordant, and scathing. While all these words mean "stingingly incisive," acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence.

acrid invective

When would caustic be a good substitute for acrid?

While in some cases nearly identical to acrid, caustic suggests a biting wit.

caustic comments

When can mordant be used instead of acrid?

The words mordant and acrid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

mordant reviews of the play

In what contexts can scathing take the place of acrid?

In some situations, the words scathing and acrid are roughly equivalent. However, scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity.

a scathing satire

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of acrid An acrid odor still hung in the air from the gas and flash bang grenades law enforcement fired on protesters Saturday, while scorched asphalt marked the intersection outside a Home Depot where federal authorities had staged. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025 Namely, a harsh, acrid taste, and any kind of cloying sweetness. Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 May 2025 Bemused tourists attempt to shuffle through the acrid red and blue flare smoke. Tim Spiers, New York Times, 18 May 2025 That day, the air in midtown Manhattan was choked with acrid wildfire smoke from Canada, and the sky was a macabre shade of orange. Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acrid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acrid
Adjective
  • Richardson, who was dealing with a sore right ankle during summer league practices in Orlando, exited early in the third quarter, but was able to return in the final frame.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
  • Chisholm missed five weeks toward the beginning of the season with a right oblique strain, then sat out of Sunday’s Subway Series finale at Citi Field for a sore right shoulder.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • There were no bitter comments blaming liberal forest-management policies.
    Nick Allardice, Time, 10 July 2025
  • Public records show the home belongs to former Councilman Bill Sanders, who ran for mayor and lost last year after a years-long history of bitter clashes with other city officials and staff.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • The poem is part love quest, part account of Italy’s battles; in places profoundly serious, in places satiric.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 11 June 2025
  • Neither damning nor satiric, W. is oddly wistful, almost regretful — rare sentiments in a Stone film.
    Will Leitch, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Most of the time, Superman is depressed or angry or getting beat to a pulp or having cans thrown at him or getting arrested.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Others were frustrated—some even outright angry—that the Commission fell short of declaring all forms of obesity a disease and instead recommended a more nuanced clinical diagnosis.
    Francesco Rubino, Time, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Teaming up with Rebels like the enigmatic Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and the sarcastic droid K-2SO (Alan Tudyk), Jyn’s quest for salvation and redemption runs right up to the beginning of the original film, Star Wars: A New Hope.
    Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 26 June 2025
  • Mamdani joined her for a sarcastic infomercial on her account, criticizing Mayor Adams’ record.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • The cynical view would be that Trump is looking for a reason to have federal troops join ICE in rounding up undocumented immigrants that Mamdani tries to protect, and to arrest local officials who get in their way.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • Created by cartoonist Jim Davis, the Garfield comic strip debuted in June 1978 and follows the cynical and lazy orange cat and his interactions with his owner, Jon Arbuckle, and fellow pet Odie, the lovable dog.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • In oxygen-rich soil, microbes thrive, contributing to decay, and acidic pH levels erode natural materials like leather.
    Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
  • The sharp, slightly sour sauce brought the fries back to life with an acidic, satisfying kick.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • There’s the Crying Nudes, who are directly involved with Dean Blunt, spawning on his World Music label soon after bar italia’s acrimonious departure.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 9 July 2025
  • Once a senior advisor to Trump, Musk has had an acrimonious falling out with the president due to his staunch opposition to the tax and spending legislation.
    Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Acrid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acrid. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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