mordant

adjective

ˈmȯr-dᵊnt How to pronounce mordant (audio)
Definition of mordantnext
as in satiric
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings a mordant review of the movie that compared it to having one's teeth pulled for two hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective mordant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of mordant are acrid, caustic, and scathing. While all these words mean "stingingly incisive," mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

mordant reviews of the play

When might acrid be a better fit than mordant?

The synonyms acrid and mordant are sometimes interchangeable, but acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence.

acrid invective

When would caustic be a good substitute for mordant?

The meanings of caustic and mordant largely overlap; however, caustic suggests a biting wit.

caustic comments

When can scathing be used instead of mordant?

While in some cases nearly identical to mordant, 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 mordant That a film with such mordant humor can still land with the dramatic weight of its final act puts the film over the top and cements Panahi as a filmmaker of unique skill and piercing insight. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026 Twain reserved his most mordant reflections on American politics for Congress, in his time the most potent—and corrupt—branch of government. — Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026 The direct ionic and hydrogen-bonding interactions between the prickly pear peel pigment and the wool fiber enabled by microwaving eliminates the need for a mordant intermediary. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 17 June 2026 But the main model is Humphrey Bogart, whose looks Cage’s recall more than a little; Bogart played Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe in the films most associated with those characters, whose mordant humor creator-writer Oren Uziel seeks to replicate here, with fair success. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for mordant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mordant
  1. satiric
  2. sarcastic
  3. acid
  4. acidic
  5. barbed
  6. caustic
Adjective
  • The script for the video was written by Casale and his longtime friend Max Papeschi, an Italian satirical artist.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026
  • Staff members of the satirical magazine Leman are on trial on charges of inciting hatred over a cartoon published last year that features the Prophet Mohammed and Moses.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of satiric
Adjective
  • This is taken as evidence of his status, not a sarcastic criticism.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
  • On Monday night, Contreras was ejected in the second inning after a check-swing strikeout prompted him to give a sarcastic ABS challenge gesture at the umpire, earning an instant boot.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of sarcastic
Adjective
  • Scotto highlighted that Kinetik has purpose-built its system for sour gas handling, giving it an edge over new competitors that may face permitting delays of at least three years to build acid gas injection wells.
    — TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 21 June 2026
  • On the other hand, a hydrangea species that can sometimes disappoint Chicago-area gardeners is the bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), known for having big blue blooms when grown in acid soil and popular in the eastern United States.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026
Definition of acid
Adjective
  • Avocado, tomatillos, a serrano pepper, and lime are mixed together in just five minutes to make a bright and acidic dip that's served best with your favorite tortilla chips.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • It’s absorbed without needing food or a highly acidic environment.
    — Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 30 June 2026
Definition of acidic
Adjective
  • The fence, as constructed, is more than 8 feet tall and is topped with a strand of barbed wire — too high for many animals to jump and dangerous for those that attempt to do so.
    — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 June 2026
  • Vines have grown through the fence and barbed wire surrounding a tall art deco building in this city’s downtown, and cigarette holders and empty food tins litter the tall weeds.
    — Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, 24 June 2026
Definition of barbed
Adjective
  • Rohmer’s caustic cynicism Conversely, a filmmaker of the French New Wave who has seen his stock rise during the last few years is Eric Rohmer, championed by Noah Baumbach among others.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Hostile and caustic had a different meaning in 1962.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 June 2026
Definition of caustic

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Mordant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mordant. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mordant

Nglish: Translation of mordant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mordant

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