mordancy

noun

ˈmȯr-dᵊn(t)-sē How to pronounce mordancy (audio)
Definition of mordancynext
as in bitterness
biting sharpness of feeling or expression the surprising mordancy with which the two physicians contested each other's claim to having discovered an effective vaccine for polio

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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 mordancy But Lloyd’s version brims with mordancy. — Sarah Weinman, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2023 The gray-tint, cross-hatched drawings evoke George Cruikshank and Samuel Palmer, but the mordancy is vintage Sendak. — The Week Staff, The Week, 17 Oct. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mordancy
  1. severity
  2. hostility
  3. virulence
  4. bile
  5. malice
  6. anger
Noun
  • On bridging the divide, Michel stressed the importance of recognizing the severity of the crisis, and engaging in productive dialogue.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
  • While San Diego County saw a decrease in acres under the highest severity rating, areas including Los Angeles County, still reeling from the Eaton and Palisades fires, saw increases of 30%.
    — Christian Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of severity
Noun
  • Even small shifts can build rapport and defuse hostility.
    — Diana Lowe, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Intentionally directing attacks against civilian infrastructure and civilians who are not directly taking part in hostilities is considered a war crime under international law.
    — Clarissa Ward, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • Everything about the movement surprised political observers: its virulence, its magnitude, its provincial origins, its apparent lack of structure and leadership, and its adamant refusal to be co-opted by existing political parties and unions.
    — Arthur Goldhammer, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2018
  • An ePPP is a pathogen that has been modified to enhance its transmissibility and virulence.
    — Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Definition of virulence
Noun
  • In a handful of these cases, researchers reported that genetically edited pig hearts could beat, livers made bile, and kidneys were able to function, making urine, without immediate rejection.
    — Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Bile duct diseases: Diseases that affect the tubes that carry bile away from the liver, or bile ducts, include primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and biliary atresia.
    — Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of bile
Noun
  • Jose Ibarra was convicted Nov. 20, 2024 of malice murder, three counts of felony murder and assault with intent to rape, among other charges, in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court.
    — Alexandra Koch, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Worse than his malice is his neediness, which seems to break through that fourth wall to put its sticky fingers around our throats.
    — Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Definition of malice
Noun
  • The Cost of Negative Emotions in Financial Decision-Making On the flip side, negative emotions, such as anxiety, anger, and sadness, were shown in our study to be associated with a shorter financial time horizon.
    — Shane Enete, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Yet while their new ground has undoubtedly boosted their revenues and broadened their appeal to a wider demographic of fans, there has been anger from matchgoing supporters over rising ticket prices, with several protests staged last season.
    — Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of anger

Browse Nearby Words

morbidness
mordancy
mordant
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Cite this Entry

“Mordancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mordancy. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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