əˈsɜːb əˈsɜɹb əˈsɜː(ɹ)bɪk əˈsɜ(ɹ)bɪk ˈæs.ɪd ˈæk.ɹɪd ˈkɔːstɪk mɔː(ɹ)dənt ˈsʌlfəɹəs sʌlˈfjuɹəs ˈvɪɹ(j)ʊl(ə)nt ˈvɪɹ(j)ələnt vɪtɹɪˈɒlɪk of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action harsh or corrosive in tone 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