CAUSTIC Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'caustic' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of caustic are acrid , mordant , and scathing . While all these words mean "stingingly incisive," caustic suggests a biting wit. // caustic comments

Q: When is 'acrid' a more appropriate choice than 'caustic'?

While the synonyms acrid and caustic are close in meaning, acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence. // acrid invective

Q: In what contexts can 'mordant' take the place of 'caustic'?

In some situations, the words mordant and caustic are roughly equivalent. However, mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness. // mordant reviews of the play

Q: When might 'scathing' be a better fit than 'caustic'?

Although the words scathing and caustic have much in common, scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity. // a scathing satire

caustic

adjective

ˈkȯ-stik

Definition of caustic next

as in sarcastic

marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings caustic movie reviews that serve mainly to show how clever the reviewer is

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective caustic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of caustic are acrid, mordant, and scathing. While all these words mean "stingingly incisive," caustic suggests a biting wit.

caustic comments

When is acrid a more appropriate choice than caustic?

While the synonyms acrid and caustic are close in meaning, acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence.

acrid invective

In what contexts can mordant take the place of caustic?

In some situations, the words mordant and caustic are roughly equivalent. However, mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

mordant reviews of the play

When might scathing be a better fit than caustic?

Although the words scathing and caustic have much in common, scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity.

a scathing satire

Examples 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 caustic But Nobody Wants This, with its nostalgia-inducing cast and caustic tone, is destined to be a weeknight binge for 30-somethings familiar with Call Her Daddy. —

Phoebe Reilly, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024 Often, portraying funny people is a spectacularly unfunny exercise, but Smith captures the strange blend of Chase’s gifted sense of humor, caustic personality, and undeniable good looks with a skill that far exceeds any SNL impression. —

Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024 Lesser Flamingos thrive in some of the harshest environments on Earth, characterized by searing air temperatures and caustic waters. —

Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 Trump’s caustic attitude in debates arguably set him apart in 2016, though. —

Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for caustic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for caustic

Adjective

Others rocked up in hazmat suits in a sarcastic swipe at China’s stringent Covid control measures, which saw Shanghai locked down for roughly two months and sparked rare protests.

Chris Lau, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024
The sentiment is respectable — gun violence is bad — but the song’s satire feels half-baked because Martin just doesn’t have the sarcastic sensibility needed.

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024