Caustic chemical substances are very powerful and can dissolve other substances.
...caustic cleaning agents.
Remember that this is caustic; use gloves or a spoon.
2. adjective
A caustic remark is extremely critical, cruel, or bitter.
[formal]
His abrasive wit and caustic comments were an interviewer's nightmare.
He was often caustic and mocking, or flew into rages.
caustically (kɔːstɪkli)graded adverb [ADVERB with verb, ADVERB adjective]
She was caustically brilliant, yet totally loyal, unpretentious, human and tolerant.
More Synonyms of caustic
caustic in British English
(ˈkɔːstɪk)
adjective
1.
capable of burning or corroding by chemical action
caustic soda
2.
sarcastic; cutting
a caustic reply
3.
of, relating to, or denoting light that is reflected or refracted by a curved surface
noun
4. Also called: caustic surface
a surface that envelops the light rays reflected or refracted by a curved surface
5. Also called: caustic curve
a curve formed by the intersection of a caustic surface with a plane
6. chemistry
a caustic substance, esp an alkali
Derived forms
caustical (ˈcaustical)
adjective
caustically (ˈcaustically)
adverb
causticity (kɔːˈstɪsɪtɪ) or causticness (ˈcausticness)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin causticus, from Greek kaustikos, from kaiein to burn
caustic in American English
(ˈkɔstɪk)
adjective
1.
that can burn, eat away, or destroy tissue by chemical action; corrosive
2.
cutting or sarcastic in utterance; biting
3.
designating or of the curved radial surface, or a plane curve in this surface, formed by the reflection or refraction of rays from a curved solid surface
noun
4.
any caustic substance, esp. caustic soda
5.
a caustic surface or curve
SIMILAR WORDS: sarˈcastic
Derived forms
caustically (ˈcaustically)
adverb
causticity (causˈticity) (kɔsˈtɪsɪti)
noun
Word origin
ME caustik < L causticus < Gr kaustikos < kaustos, burning < kaiein, to burn
Examples of 'caustic' in a sentence
caustic
The name change was swiftly greeted with a string of caustic comments online.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Its other saving grace is its caustic sense of humour.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
They found it contained a lethal caustic chemical found in a brand of household oven cleaner.
The Sun (2010)
Three bottles were filled with paraffin and the others with caustic soda.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It combines erudition and caustic humour and keeps up a cracking pace.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
At the same time he was a caustic critic of anything he thought sloppy or ill-prepared.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Henry was in good humour, and brought out his dry caustic wit admirably.
Elizabeth Gaskell North and South (1855)
It wasn't long before the caustic comments began.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
His caustic comments make wonderful copy, of course.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But over ten years, audiences have become less able to accept her caustic humour.
The Sun (2010)
Doctors feared she would die from horrific injuries caused by the 98 per cent strength caustic soda.
The Sun (2008)
The result is a book that is as addictive as it is surreal, and dripping with caustic humour.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The workman's son who speaks four languages acknowledges that his caustic wit and plain speaking are not always understood.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is also a caustic commentary on the American Dream of success at all costs.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Experts suggest that the burns experienced by villagers are most likely to be caused by caustic soda, which is frequently used in the production process.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
caustic
British English: caustic ADJECTIVE
Caustic chemical substances are very powerful and can dissolve other substances.
...caustic cleaning agents.
American English: caustic
Brazilian Portuguese: cáustico
Chinese: 腐蚀性的
European Spanish: cáustico
French: caustique
German: ätzend
Italian: caustico
Japanese: 腐食性の
Korean: 부식성의
European Portuguese: cáustico
Latin American Spanish: cáustico
All related terms of 'caustic'
caustic curve
a curve formed by the intersection of a caustic surface with a plane
caustic soda
Caustic soda is a powerful chemical substance used to make strong soaps and clean drains .
lunar caustic
silver nitrate fused into sticks , which were formerly used in cauterizing
caustic potash
→ potassium hydroxide
caustic surface
a surface that envelopes the light rays reflected or refracted by a curved surface
calcium hydrate
a white crystalline slightly soluble alkali with many uses, esp in cement , water softening , and the neutralization of acid soils. Formula: Ca(OH) 2
calcium hydroxide
a white crystalline slightly soluble alkali with many uses, esp in cement , water softening , and the neutralization of acid soils. Formula: Ca(OH) 2
hydrated lime
a white crystalline slightly soluble alkali with many uses, esp in cement , water softening , and the neutralization of acid soils . Formula: Ca(OH) 2
sodium hydroxide
a white deliquescent strongly alkaline solid used in the manufacture of rayon , paper, aluminium , soap , and sodium compounds. Formula: NaOH
1 (adjective)
Definition
capable of burning or corroding by chemical action
This substance is caustic; use gloves when handling it.
Synonyms
burning
corrosive
Sodium and sulphur are highly corrosive elements.
corroding
astringent
an astringent satire on Hollywood
vitriolic
There was a vicious and vitriolic attack on him in the tabloids.
acrid
The room filled with the acrid smell of tobacco.
mordant
2 (adjective)
Definition
bitter and sarcastic
He was well known for his abrasive wit and caustic comments.
Synonyms
sarcastic
She poked fun at people's shortcomings with sarcastic remarks.
biting
This was the most biting criticism made against her.
keen
a keen sense of humour
cutting
People make cutting remarks to help themselves feel superior to others.
severe
The team has suffered severe criticism from influential figures.
stinging
scathing
He then launched a scathing attack on previous leaders.
acrimonious
The acrimonious debate on the agenda ended indecisively.
pungent
He enjoyed the play's shrewd and pungent social analysis.
vitriolic
trenchant
He was shattered by the trenchant criticism.
mordant
mordacious
Opposites
loving
,
kind
,
pleasing
,
soft
,
sweet
,
gentle
,
pleasant
,
mild
,
soothing
,
bland
,
agreeable
,
temperate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acrid
Definition
unpleasantly strong-smelling
The room filled with the acrid smell of tobacco.
Synonyms
pungent,
biting,
strong,
burning,
sharp,
acid,
bitter,
harsh,
stinging,
irritating,
caustic,
astringent,
vitriolic,
highly flavoured,
acerb
in the sense of acrimonious
The acrimonious debate on the agenda ended indecisively.