A corrosive substance is able to destroy solid materials by a chemical reaction.
Sodium and sulphur are highly corrosive.
Synonyms: corroding, wasting, caustic, vitriolic More Synonyms of corrosive
2. adjective
If you say that something has a corrosive effect, you mean that it gradually causes serious harm.
[formal]
...the corrosive effects of inflation.
More Synonyms of corrosive
corrosive in British English
(kəˈrəʊsɪv)
adjective
1.
(esp of acids or alkalis) capable of destroying solid materials
2.
tending to eat away or consume
3.
cutting; sarcastic
a corrosive remark
noun
4.
a corrosive substance, such as a strong acid or alkali
Derived forms
corrosively (corˈrosively)
adverb
corrosiveness (corˈrosiveness)
noun
corrosive in American English
(kəˈroʊsɪv)
adjective
1.
corroding or causing corrosion
2.
bitingly sarcastic; cutting; acid
noun
3.
something causing corrosion
Derived forms
corrosively (corˈrosively)
adverb
corrosiveness (corˈrosiveness)
noun
Word origin
OFr corrosif < ML corrosivus
Examples of 'corrosive' in a sentence
corrosive
While the performance of investments is important, high charges can have a slow, corrosive effect on a portfolio over time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet its depiction of the corrosive effect of wrongdoing is also moving.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Yet in a war zone the effect seemed more corrosive.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This uncertainty is having a corrosive effect on confidence in central banks.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The film looks at the corrosive effects of suspicion.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
On one side is the corrosive effect of inflation on savings and investment.
The Sun (2008)
Its corrosive effect on the sense of self is pernicious.
Bloom, Carol & Gitter, Andrea (contributor) & Gutwill, Susan (contributor) & Kogel,Laura (contributor) & Zaphiropoulos, Lela (contributor) Eating Problems: A Feminist Psychoanalytic Treatment Model (1994)
Its corrosive impact is particularly striking in the health sector.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Then they laughed as she screamed in agony from the corrosive chemical burns intended to destroy evidence.
The Sun (2008)
The liquid was so corrosive that firefighters had to use powerful hoses to wash it away.
The Sun (2015)
This is an epic story concerning the corrosive effect of wealth and unchecked ambition on the souls of the two men.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Generation Kill shows the same corrosive effects at work in the military.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The scientific revolution also had its corrosive impact on a literal interpretation of the Bible.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
AN acid attack victim has called for shops to keep records of who buys products containing corrosive liquids.
The Sun (2015)
A woman suffered horrific injuries yesterday when a corrosive liquid was thrown in her face at a bus stop.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There is a further corrosive effect of this mania for judging people on what they are, not what they do.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In practice this has a corrosive effect because the less you cook, the less you are likely to feel able to cook.
Joanna Blythman Bad Food Britain (2006)
Signs that QE has become a corrosive influence are ubiquitous.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A witness said the 37-year-old victim was with her partner when she was doused in corrosive liquid.
The Sun (2015)
A spokesman said: 'The victims have told officers that they were sprayed with a corrosive liquid.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He was last week found guilty at Ipswich crown court of false imprisonment, conspiracy to apply a corrosive liquid and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.
The Sun (2015)
1 (adjective)
Sodium and sulphur are highly corrosive elements.
Synonyms
corroding
wasting
caustic
This substance is caustic; use gloves when handling it.
vitriolic
acrid
He is soured by acrid memories he has dredged up.
erosive
2 (adjective)
She had a corrosive sense of humour.
Synonyms
cutting
People make cutting remarks to help themselves feel superior to others.
biting
This was the most biting criticism made against her.
incisive
virulent
sarcastic
She poked fun at people's shortcomings with sarcastic remarks.
caustic
He was well known for his abrasive wit and caustic comments.
venomous
vitriolic
There was a vicious and vitriolic attack on him in the tabloids.
trenchant
He was shattered by the trenchant criticism.
mordant
He describes the situation with mordant wit.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acrid
Definition
sharp in speech or manner
He is soured by acrid memories he has dredged up.
Synonyms
harsh,
cutting,
biting,
sharp,
bitter,
nasty,
acrimonious,
caustic,
vitriolic,
trenchant,
mordant,
mordacious,
sarcastic
in the sense of biting
Definition
sarcastic
This was the most biting criticism made against her.
Synonyms
sarcastic,
cutting,
sharp,
severe,
stinging,
withering,
scathing,
acrimonious,
incisive,
virulent,
caustic,
vitriolic,
trenchant,
mordant,
mordacious
in the sense of caustic
Definition
capable of burning or corroding by chemical action
This substance is caustic; use gloves when handling it.