acerbic

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 27, 2025 is: acerbic \uh-SER-bik\ adjective Something described as acerbic is sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone. // The comedian draws crowds that appreciate his acerbic wit. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acerbic) Examples: "Whether she's giving a sarcastic eye-roll, tossing off an acerbic zinger, or seducing with a come-hither stare, [actress Jennifer] Simard intimately understands the art of underplaying." — Christopher Wallenberg, The Boston Globe, 1 June 2025 Did you know? English speakers created acerbic in the 19th century by combining the adjective [acerb](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acerb) with the suffix [-ic-](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/-ic). Acerb had already been around for a couple centuries, but for most of that time it had been used only to describe foods with a sour taste. (Acerb is still around today, but now it's simply a less common synonym of acerbic.) Acerbic and acerb ultimately come from the Latin adjective acerbus, which can mean "harsh" or "unpleasant." Another English word that comes from acerbus is [exacerbate](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exacerbate), which means "to make more violent or severe."