corrosive

adjective

cor·​ro·​sive kə-ˈrō-siv 

-ziv

1

: tending or having the power to corrode

corrosive acids

corrosive action

the corrosive effects of alcoholism

2

: bitingly sarcastic

corrosive satire

corrosive noun

corrosively adverb

corrosiveness noun

Synonyms

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

Examples of corrosive in a Sentence

She argues that racism is dangerous and corrosive to society.

a corrosive satire on the fashion industry and its movers and shakers

Recent Examples on the Web

Opening the Abraham Accords to these new members would help remind the world that there are many Muslim countries who favor tolerance, peace and stability and want nothing to do with the corrosive brand of Islamism that has wrecked economies and devastated communities. —Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

There’s a predictable love triangle, the betrayal that explains the corrosive relationship between the lion brothers and Biblical undertones that cast and recast the roles of Adam and Eve as well as Cain and Abel. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024

Many people are worried about President-Elect Donald Trump’s forthcoming administration’s corrosive effects on democracy. —Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024

Any willingness to limit its corrosive power has yet to arrive. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. —Derek Newton, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corrosif, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin corrōsīvus, from Latin corrōsus, past participle of corrōdere "to gnaw, corrode" + -īvus -ive

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing corrosive

• corrosive sublimate

Kids Definition

corrosive

adjective

cor·​ro·​sive kə-ˈrō-siv 

-ziv

: tending or having the power to corrode

corrosive acids

corrosive noun

corrosively adverb

corrosiveness noun

Medical Definition

corrosive

1 of 2 adjective

cor·​ro·​sive -ˈrō-siv, -ziv 

: tending or having the power to corrode

corrosive acids

a corrosive gas

corrosiveness noun

corrosive

2 of 2 noun

: a substance that corrodes : caustic