Synonyms of caustic

caustic

adjective

ˈkȯ-stik 

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

• sarcastic
• satirical
• satiric
• acidic
• acid
• barbed
• corrosive
• acerbic
• sardonic
• biting
• acrid
• scathing
• pungent
• mordant
• acidulous
• cynical
• sharp
• ironical
• tart
• ironic
• cutting
• snarky
• harsh
• scalding
• smart-aleck
• acerb
• smart-alecky
• sour
• smart-mouthed
• blunt
• incisive
• dry
• concise
• spiky
• trenchant
• poignant
• wry
• flippant
• cross
• severe
• vitriolic
• brisk
• acrimonious
• facetious
• sharp-tongued
• bitter
• gruff
• abrupt
• sourish
• spikey
• resentful
• brusque
• pithy
• stringent
• curt
• keen
• tongue-in-cheek
• succinct
• tartish
• terse
• insincere
• crisp
• snippy
• rough
• backhanded
• brusk
• snippety

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amusing
• playful
• mild
• gentle
• merry
• bland
• droll
• waggish
• diplomatic
• sportive
• smooth
• polite
• urbane
• good-natured
• cordial
• hospitable
• gracious
• genial
• good-humored
• affable
• sociable
• suave

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

Recent Examples of caustic

In The Dutchman, Andre Gaines retrofits Amiri Baraka’s caustic play about a fatal encounter between a reserved Black man and a roguish white woman for the modern age. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025

Simpson was better known for holding his own views, though, with sometimes caustic certainty. —Mead Gruver, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2025

Indeed, Jimmy Kimmel used material from my book to make caustic fun of Trump in a recent monologue — comedy has, apparently, more backbone than news. —Michael Wolff, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025

In fact, some previous inductees to the team’s Hall of Fame — most notably, Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway — had caustic departures but now are viewed fondly by fans. —Josh Robbins, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025

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