<adj.all> an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose a barrage of acid comments her acrid remarks make her many enemies bitter words blistering criticism caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics a sulfurous denunciation a vitriolic critique
Acerb \A*cerb"\, a. [L. acerbus, fr. acer sharp: cf. F. acerbe. See {Acrid}.] Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, as unripe fruit; sharp and harsh.