acerbity

noun

ə-ˈsər-bə-tē How to pronounce acerbity (audio)
Definition of acerbitynext
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality the customer made his displeasure known with more acerbity than was necessary

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 acerbity The third element of the trio is Mary Flynn, played by the terrific Lindsey Mendez, a 2018 Tony winner for Carousel, with a natural warmth that offsets the character’s growing acerbity. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2022 The Brodie books demonstrate her great facility with genre, pairing pulse-quickening suspense with Atkinson’s distinctive blend of puckishness and acerbity. — Sarah Chihaya, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2022 Rarely does a reviewer convey her opinion of a book’s strengths and weaknesses with such grace and acerbity. — New York Times, 4 Dec. 2020 There is, however, something respectable and clarifying about its commitment to acerbity. — Kate Knibbs, Wired, 7 Sep. 2020 Overly harsh with citrus, the fish was like an Italianate ceviche, and its acerbity drowned the satiny, subtle panna cotta. — Kate Washington, sacbee, 11 May 2018 By now Dimon is nearly iconic in his acerbity and general spikiness. — Daniel Gross, Slate Magazine, 17 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acerbity
  1. bitterness
  2. bite
  3. edge
  4. acidity
Noun
  • But few, if any, can match the tradition, scale, and bitterness of the yearly clash between Alabama and Tennessee on the third Saturday in October.
    — Austin Evans, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Written with a reporter’s sharp eye for detail and a remarkable lack of anger or bitterness, this is a compelling story of courage and grace.
    — Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of bitterness
Noun
  • Shamonda virus is spread by bites from a type of fly called a midge.
    — Amanda Erickson, STAT, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Eleven people remain missing after an 89-hour search; several survivors suffered injuries consistent with shark bites.
    — Jaimie Ding, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of bite
Noun
  • Sequenced at the center of a three-track medley, its death-dream logic deliberately evokes the SMiLE era’s dark, confusing edge.
    — Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Wear one in beige or white to add a bit of brightness to your look, or black for some edge.
    — Michel Mejía, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • Use sparingly, as vinegar’s acidity can damage rubber gaskets over time.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Red wine vinegar brings welcome acidity to BA’s Best Gazpacho, coq au vin, a pot of hearty lentils, and rich meat marinades.
    — Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of acidity

Browse Nearby Words

acerbic
acerbity
aces
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Cite this Entry

“Acerbity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acerbity. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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