Acerb — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ə-ˈsərb/

Meaning & Definition of Acerb

Acerb (adjective)

  1. sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone, acerbic

Acerb (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings

    "a professor with a rather acerb sense of humor"

    similar: acerbic, acid, acidic, acidulous, acrid, barbed, biting, caustic, corrosive, cutting, mordant, pungent, sarcastic, sardonic, satiric, scalding, scathing, sharp, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, smart-mouthed, snarky, tart
    related: brisk, cross, sharp-tongued, sour, sourish, spiky, tartish, incisive, keen, poignant, trenchant, cynical, dry, ironic, wry, facetious, flippant, tongue-in-cheek, acrimonious, bitter, resentful, vitriolic, harsh, rough, severe, stringent, abrupt, blunt, brusque, concise, crisp, curt, gruff, pithy, snippety, snippy, succinct, terse, backhanded, insincere
    near: amusing, droll, merry, playful, sportive, waggish, gentle, mild, bland, good-humored, good-natured, diplomatic, polite, smooth, suave, urbane, affable, cordial, genial, gracious, hospitable, sociable

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Acerb

The most common words with a similar meaning to Acerb:

acerbic, acid, acidic, acidulous, acrid, barbed, biting, caustic, corrosive, cutting, mordant, pungent, sarcastic, sardonic, satiric, scalding, scathing, sharp, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, smart-mouthed, snarky, tart

Related Words for Acerb

brisk, cross, sharp-tongued, sour, sourish, spiky, tartish, incisive, keen, poignant, trenchant, cynical, dry, ironic, wry, facetious, flippant, tongue-in-cheek, acrimonious, bitter, resentful, vitriolic, harsh, rough, severe, stringent, abrupt, blunt, brusque, concise

Near Antonyms of Acerb

amusing, droll, merry, playful, sportive, waggish, gentle, mild, bland, good-humored, good-natured, diplomatic, polite, smooth, suave, urbane, affable, cordial, genial, gracious, hospitable, sociable

Origin & Etymology of Acerb

borrowed from French & Latin; French acerbe, going back to Old French, borrowed from Latin acerbus, going back to a pre-Latin stem *akri-þo-, derivative of *ā̆kri- "sharp" acrid

First known use: 1822

Frequently Asked Questions about Acerb

What does "Acerb" mean?

"Acerb" means sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone, acerbic. As an adjective, it is defined as: sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone, acerbic.

What is another word for "Acerb"?

Other words for "Acerb" include acerbic, acid, acidic, acidulous, acrid, barbed, biting and caustic. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Acerb" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Acerb"?

There are 63 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Acerb". Common alternatives include acerbic, acid, acidic, acidulous, acrid, barbed, biting, caustic, corrosive and cutting.

How do you use "Acerb" in a sentence?

Examples of "Acerb" in a sentence: "a professor with a rather acerb sense of humor".

Is "Acerb" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Acerb" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Acerb"?

"Acerb" is pronounced /ə-ˈsərb/.

What is the origin of the word "Acerb"?

"Acerb" comes from borrowed from French & Latin; French acerbe, going back to Old French, borrowed from Latin acerbus, going back to a pre-Latin stem *akri-þo-, derivative of *ā̆kri- "sharp" acrid. First known use: 1822.

What is another word for "Acerb" meaning "marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings"?

When "Acerb" (adjective) means marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings, synonyms include acerbic, acid, acidic, acidulous, acrid and barbed.