acerb
adjective
ə-ˈsərb 
a-
: acerbic
acerb humor
Synonyms
- acerbic
- acid
- acidic
- acidulous
- acrid
- barbed
- biting
- caustic
- corrosive
- cutting
- mordant
- pungent
- sarcastic
- sardonic
- satiric
- satirical
- scalding
- scathing
- sharp
- smart-aleck
- smart-alecky
- smart-mouthed
- snarky
- tart
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a professor with a rather acerb sense of humor
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from French & Latin; French acerbe, going back to Old French, borrowed from Latin acerbus, going back to a pre-Latin stem *akri-þo-, derivative of *ā̆kri- "sharp" — more at acrid
Note: This etymology presupposes that underlying the -b- is the same adjective suffix that normally appears as -id- (< -*iþ- < Indo-European *-idh-). The presumed development would be *akri-þo-, then by syncope > akr̥þos, then by vocalization > *akerþos > *akerfos > acerbus. For the treatment of Indo-European *dh in this position a standard Latin basis of comparison is verbum.
First Known Use
1822, in the meaning defined above
acerb
adjective
as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings a professor with a rather acerb sense of humor Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sarcastic
- satiric
- acid
- acidic
- satirical
- acerbic
- acidulous
- acrid
- barbed
- caustic
- sardonic
- corrosive
- pungent
- mordant
- biting
- tart
- scathing
- snarky
- cynical
- scalding
- cutting
- ironic
- sharp
- smart-alecky
- trenchant
- harsh
- sour
- smart-mouthed
- ironical
- blunt
- smart-aleck
- brisk
- incisive
- spiky
- concise
- wry
- dry
- cross
- vitriolic
- acrimonious
- severe
- flippant
- facetious
- abrupt
- poignant
- bitter
- brusque
- keen
- sourish
- stringent
- sharp-tongued
- curt
- resentful
- gruff
- pithy
- succinct
- terse
- tartish
- spikey
- brusk
- crisp
- snippy
- insincere
- tongue-in-cheek
- backhanded
- rough
- snippety
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- mild
- waggish
- amusing
- merry
- playful
- gentle
- sportive
- droll
- bland
- suave
- diplomatic
- affable
- smooth
- urbane
- genial
- good-humored
- good-natured
- polite
- cordial
- gracious
- hospitable
- sociable