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astringent

5 antonyms and opposites of astringent, grouped by meaning.

Noun — A liquid or substance applied to the skin to make the tissue contract, reducing oil and tightening pores.

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A liquid or substance applied to the skin to make the tissue contract, reducing oil and tightening pores.

“She wipes her face with an astringent after cleansing.”

toner styptic

2. adjective

Having a sharp, dry, mouth-puckering taste.

“Unripe persimmons are so astringent they are almost impossible to eat.”

sharp tart acerbic puckering

Opposites

3. adjective

Sharply critical in a dry, unsparing way.

“Her astringent review left the production very little to hold on to.”

caustic biting trenchant acerbic

Opposites

Antonyms

How to Use Astringent

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

astringent toner mildly astringent astringent taste astringent wit

The skincare and taste senses are everyday; the sense meaning harshly critical is literary.

Etymology

From Latin astringere 'to bind fast, draw tight', from ad 'to' and stringere 'to bind'.

Full origin of astringent →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an astringent and a toner?

Toner is the broad category of liquid applied after cleansing, and many toners are gentle and hydrating. An astringent is a toner that specifically tightens the skin and cuts oil, and it is often alcohol-based, which makes it stronger and more drying.

Why does tea taste astringent?

Tea contains tannins, compounds that bind to the proteins in saliva and make the mouth feel dry and rough. Over-brewing releases more tannin, which is why stewed tea puckers the mouth.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.