corrosive
adjective
cor·ro·sive kə-ˈrō-siv 
-ziv
1
: tending or having the power to corrode
corrosive acids
corrosive action
the corrosive effects of alcoholism
2
: bitingly sarcastic
corrosive satire
corrosive noun
corrosively adverb
corrosiveness noun
Synonyms
- acerb
- acerbic
- acid
- acidic
- acidulous
- acrid
- barbed
- biting
- caustic
- cutting
- mordant
- pungent
- sarcastic
- sardonic
- satiric
- satirical
- scalding
- scathing
- sharp
- smart-aleck
- smart-alecky
- smart-mouthed
- snarky
- tart
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She argues that racism is dangerous and corrosive to society. a corrosive satire on the fashion industry and its movers and shakers
Recent Examples on the Web Crime is having a corrosive effect on Chicago, where McDonald’s is working to bring corporate employees back to its headquarters after the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr. Kempczinski said during a keynote speech Wednesday at the Economic Club of Chicago. 
Heather Haddon, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 Wealthy families, by comparison, who have borrowed heavily for their homes, investments and business ventures may pay back the loans with cheaper money due to the corrosive effects of inflation. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 24 July 2022 The water became contaminated in 2014-15 because water pulled from the river wasn't treated to reduce the corrosive effect on lead pipes. CBS News, 11 Aug. 2022 In the film’s tense second act, they’re forced to sign confessions and inform on one another, a microcosm of the corrosive effect the political system under Ceaușescu was having on Romanian citizenry. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 15 June 2022 Experts who study clearance rates say unsolved gun violence can have a corrosive effect that criminologists are only beginning to understand, one that potentially exacerbates negative views of police and allows criminals to remain on the street. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 3 June 2022 But more important is the corrosive effect Musk’s actions have had on the rule of law and principles of fair dealing. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2022 Privacy is a human right and a necessity, and attacking our privacy has a corrosive effect on the human condition. Maritza Johnson, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2022 On the left, the prospect of a second Trump term spurred a new class of megadonors, and helped allay lingering qualms about the corrosive effect of secret money among some Democrats. New York Times, 29 Jan. 2022 See More
Heather Haddon, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 Wealthy families, by comparison, who have borrowed heavily for their homes, investments and business ventures may pay back the loans with cheaper money due to the corrosive effects of inflation. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 24 July 2022 The water became contaminated in 2014-15 because water pulled from the river wasn't treated to reduce the corrosive effect on lead pipes. CBS News, 11 Aug. 2022 In the film’s tense second act, they’re forced to sign confessions and inform on one another, a microcosm of the corrosive effect the political system under Ceaușescu was having on Romanian citizenry. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 15 June 2022 Experts who study clearance rates say unsolved gun violence can have a corrosive effect that criminologists are only beginning to understand, one that potentially exacerbates negative views of police and allows criminals to remain on the street. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 3 June 2022 But more important is the corrosive effect Musk’s actions have had on the rule of law and principles of fair dealing. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2022 Privacy is a human right and a necessity, and attacking our privacy has a corrosive effect on the human condition. Maritza Johnson, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2022 On the left, the prospect of a second Trump term spurred a new class of megadonors, and helped allay lingering qualms about the corrosive effect of secret money among some Democrats. New York Times, 29 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English corrosif, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin corrōsīvus, from Latin corrōsus, past participle of corrōdere "to gnaw, corrode" + -īvus -ive
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing corrosive
Kids Definition
corrosive
adjective
cor·ro·sive kə-ˈrō-siv
-ziv
: tending or able to destroy, weaken, or wear away little by little
corrosive substances
Medical Definition
corrosive 1 of 2
adjective
cor·ro·sive -ˈrō-siv, -ziv
: tending or having the power to corrode
corrosive acids
a corrosive gas
corrosive
2 of 2noun
: a substance that corrodes : caustic
corrosive
adjective
as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings a corrosive satire on the fashion industry and its movers and shakers Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sarcastic
- satiric
- acidic
- acid
- satirical
- caustic
- barbed
- biting
- acrid
- acerbic
- sardonic
- pungent
- acidulous
- mordant
- scalding
- scathing
- cutting
- cynical
- ironic
- snarky
- tart
- sharp
- acerb
- harsh
- sour
- smart-alecky
- ironical
- dry
- smart-aleck
- incisive
- blunt
- smart-mouthed
- trenchant
- vitriolic
- severe
- spiky
- cross
- concise
- poignant
- acrimonious
- brisk
- flippant
- wry
- bitter
- facetious
- tartish
- stringent
- sourish
- gruff
- resentful
- abrupt
- sharp-tongued
- spikey
- brusque
- keen
- pithy
- curt
- insincere
- crisp
- terse
- succinct
- tongue-in-cheek
- backhanded
- rough
- snippy
- brusk
- snippety
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- mild
- playful
- amusing
- gentle
- merry
- droll
- sportive
- bland
- waggish
- diplomatic
- smooth
- urbane
- suave
- polite
- genial
- hospitable
- cordial
- good-natured
- affable
- good-humored
- sociable
- gracious