Meaning & use
caustic
Able to burn or corrode living tissue or other materials through chemical action.
See it in a sentence
The technician wore gloves while handling the caustic cleaning solution safely.
The label warned that the caustic drain cleaner could damage skin on contact.
A note on using this word
Caustic describes corrosive substances literally, and biting, sarcastic remarks figuratively.
Words with a similar meaning
corrosiveacidic
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
mildgentle
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Harshly critical, sarcastic, or bitterly cutting in tone or speech.
The critic's caustic review left the young playwright feeling humiliated for weeks.
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