SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
caustic
adjective
Sharply critical or sarcastic; literally, able to burn or corrode.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Biting in tone
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topSardonic adds bitter mockery; vitriolic usually conveys stronger hostility.
Chemically destructive
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topCorrosive is the closest general alternative; chemical action differs from mechanical abrasion.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See caustic in use
The review's caustic tone prompted a lively debate.
In a second discussion, the presenter made a caustic remark about the committee's planning skills, turning a legitimate concern into a cutting personal jab.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license