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

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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

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 caustic Is this feud really an issue of control, competition, or a caustic relationship? —

Chris Westfall, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024 Yet the canny level of observation — at once casual, caustic and empathetic — makes for a film that adds up to considerably more than the sum of its seemingly offhand parts. —

Dennis Harvey, Variety, 21 Dec. 2024 There are so many wonderfully caustic plotlines in this perfect 30 Rock episode. —

Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024 Cher is a bracing read, peppered with caustic quips and self-effacing anecdotes, but fundamentally frank. —

Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for caustic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for caustic

Adjective

Ally and Jay are both sarcastic, too — their best lines are muttered under their breaths — and their repartee becomes more interesting than the bloody theatrics.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
When Filip Hronek took a soft point shot that Darcy Kuemper stopped shortly after, the crowd responded with a sarcastic Bronx cheer.

— Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025