Words / C2

KORST-ik/ˈkɔːstɪk/

Caustic means bitterly sarcastic, or able to burn by chemical action: a caustic remark, caustic soda. Scathing (already in the dictionary) is severely critical; sardonic (already in the dictionary) is grimly mocking, and facetious (already in the dictionary) is joking at the wrong time. A drill is not a decorative rite. Wit after a named warden can wait.

Meaning

Bitterly sarcastic; also able to burn by chemical action.

Examples

• “A caustic joke about the drill is not a named warden.”
• “Scathing is harshly critical (already in C2). Sardonic is bitterly mocking (already in C2). Facetious is ill-timed joking (already in C2). Wit after a dated drill can be exact. Wit instead of a named post is a hole. Keep the door clear; then the joke.”

Good to know

Bitterly sarcastic; chemically burning. Close: scathing / sardonic (already in C2). Contrast: facetious (wrong-time joking — already in C2). A drill is not décor.

Near in meaning

sarcastic, scathing, biting, corrosive

New