caustic meaning and definition

CAUSTIC noun

Definition of caustic (noun)

1. any chemical substance that burns or destroys living tissue

CAUSTIC adjective

Definition of caustic (adjective)

1. harsh or corrosive in tone
   • "an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose"; "a barrage of acid comments"; "her acrid remarks make her many enemies"; "bitter words"; "blistering criticism"; "caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics"; "a sulfurous denunciation"; "a vitriolic critique"
   • synonyms: acerb, acerbic, acid, acrid, bitter, blistering, sulfurous, sulphurous, virulent, vitriolic
2. of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
   • synonyms: corrosive, erosive, mordant, vitriolic