acerbic adj. + Add to list US //əˈsɛɹbɪk// UK //ɐsˈɜːbɪk// acer·bic SynonymsEtymology Synonyms acerbacidacridastringentbitterblisteringcausticsulphurousvirulentOriginLATacerbus→ENacerbic Attested since the 17th century, from Latin acerbus (“sour, bitter”).