caustic
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for caustic, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Capable of burning or chemically eating away living tissue or other material.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Capable of burning or chemically eating away living tissue or other material.
“Caustic soda can cause severe burns if it touches skin.”
2. adj
Harshly sarcastic or biting in tone.
“His caustic wit made him a feared critic.”
Opposites
How to use caustic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
caustic soda
caustic humor
caustic remark
Etymology
From Latin causticus, from Greek kaustikos, "burning," from kaustos, "burnt."
Full origin of caustic →Frequently asked questions
What does “caustic” mean?
The word “caustic” means capable of burning or chemically eating away living tissue or other material. In plain terms, either literally corrosive (a chemical) or figuratively cutting and sarcastic (a remark or person).
How do you pronounce “caustic”?
“Caustic” is pronounced KAWS-tihk (/ˈkɔːstɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “caustic” in a sentence?
Here is “caustic” used in a sentence: “Caustic soda can cause severe burns if it touches skin.”
What part of speech is “caustic”?
“Caustic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “caustic” come from?
The word “caustic” comes from Latin. From Latin causticus, from Greek kaustikos, "burning," from kaustos, "burnt.".
How many meanings does “caustic” have?
“Caustic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: capable of burning or chemically eating away living tissue or other material.
