sharp tongues
Verbally slicing speakers
Sharp tongues are harsh, cutting ways of speaking—the tendency to say things that wound or sting.
Someone with a sharp tongue delivers criticism, insults, or blunt observations without softening them: Her sharp tongue made enemies at every office she worked in.
The phrase emphasizes verbal aggression rather than mere honesty.
- hurtfulCausing emotional pain
- cutting remarksCruel, pointed comments
- acerbicSharp and biting
- bitingHarshly critical or cold
- sarcasticMockingly insincere in tone
caustic · mordant · invective · verbal jabs · piercing · sardonic · repartee · scathing · retort · snipes · insult · trenchant · snide · quip · offense · snark · critique · put-down
sharp tonguesgentle words
kind words · honeyed words · sweet talk · diplomatic language · mild manner
sharp tonguesdiplomatic language
Measured speech avoiding offense
discretion · circumspection · biting one's tongue · self-censorship
sharp, tongue, sharpen, sharpened, sharpening, sharpener, sharply, sharpness, sharper