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
  • Little united the Syrian rebels during the country’s civil war from 2011 to 2024 outside of their hatred of Assad, and Damascus has sought to cultivate this memory of bitterness to keep the country’s disparate groups together.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The tea supplies tannins and bitterness while maple and orange recreate that familiar balance of sweet, bitter and citrus.
    — Ryan Brennan August 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of bitterness
Noun
  • Every bite reflects Georgia’s crossroads of cultures, blending East and West into something uniquely delicious.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
  • According to the International Shark Attack File, there were 105 shark-human interactions and just 65 unprovoked shark bites worldwide in 2025.
    — Mason Leib, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of bite
Noun
  • In addition, Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb were the only edge-rushing outside linebackers on the field for the Bills’ first-team defense.
    — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • And this year, the popular concept will be revisited in a new mid-top form, giving the shoe an even more boot-like edge.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • That texture was complemented by balanced sweetness and acidity and a zingy punch of garlic.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The existing method requires the acidity of the solution to be substantially reduced before the extraction can take place, and that adjustment can take approximately a week.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 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 17 Aug. 2026.

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