acerb
Sour and cutting
Acerb means sour or astringent in taste, like unripe fruit.
More commonly, it describes a sharp, biting manner of expression: an acerb critic, acerb remarks.
The word is literary and somewhat rare; acerbic carries the same meaning and sees more use.
Below neutral pH
- tartSharp-flavored small pie
- citrusAcidic fruits with segments
- lemonAcidic yellow citrus
- limeAcidic green citrus
grapefruit · tangy · vinegary · unripe · green apple · crabapple · tamarind · sorrel
Severely and bitingly critical
- bitingHarshly critical or cold
- sardonicGrimly mocking
- sarcasticMockingly insincere in tone
- mordantCuttingly critical in expression
vitriolic · acrimonious · cutting · venomous · trenchant · withering · sharp-tongued · stinging
Tissue-contracting agent
- tannicHaving bark-derived acids
- unsweetenedContains no sweetener
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
sharp · biting · harsh · wormwood · quinine · chicory · dandelion · endive
Abrupt and dismissive
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
- curtAbruptly rude in speech
- bluntDull or tactlessly direct
abrasive · gruff · terse · cold · unfriendly · unwelcoming · unyielding · unsparing
acidic
Below neutral pH
lime · grapefruit · tangy · vinegary · unripe · green apple · crabapple · tamarind · sorrel · gooseberry
scathing
Severely and bitingly critical
mordant · vitriolic · acrimonious · cutting · venomous · trenchant · withering · sharp-tongued · stinging · barbed
astringent
Tissue-contracting agent
- tannicHaving bark-derived acids
- unsweetenedContains no sweetener
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
acrid · sharp · biting · harsh · wormwood · quinine · chicory · dandelion · endive · gentian
brusque
Abrupt and dismissive
blunt · abrasive · gruff · terse · cold · unfriendly · unwelcoming · unyielding · unsparing · critical