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ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Acerb

/əˈsɜːb/ · adjective

Meaning

(archaic) Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, such as unripe fruit..

Definitions by Sense

  1. (archaic) Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, such as unripe fruit.
  2. (archaic, figurative) Sharp and harsh in expressing oneself.

Example Sentences

If you put Spirit of Sulphur to the Peruvian Bark, it then becomes very acerb. If you mix Mercury with Spirit of Nitre or Oil of Vitriol whilst it boils, it then is very acerb.
As to the somewhat acerb remarks of the member for Jacques Cartier, I may pass them over […]

Synonyms for acerb

acerbicsharpcausticvirulentacridvitriolicvenomousunpleasantbittersoursulfurousblisteringastringentsulphurousacid

Antonyms for acerb

Related Words

bitteracerbicacridacidsourunpleasantcausticsharpastringentblisteringvenomousvirulentvitriolicsulfuroussulphuroustartharshacerbitousacrimoniousacetous

Word Forms

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does acerb mean?

Acerb means (archaic) Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, such as unripe fruit..

What is a synonym for acerb?

Common synonyms include acerbic, sharp, caustic, virulent.

What is the opposite of acerb?

The opposite depends on the specific sense.

How do you use acerb in a sentence?

If you put Spirit of Sulphur to the Peruvian Bark, it then becomes very acerb. If you mix Mercury with Spirit of Nitre or Oil of Vitriol whilst it boils, it then is very acerb.

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.