Meaning: Sharp, forthright, and often harsh in tone, especially in speech or criticism
Hindi: कटु
Synonyms: sharp, caustic, biting, sarcastic, cutting
Asked in: SSC Steno 2026 T-1 · SSC CGL 2022 T-1
acerbic in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC Steno 2026 T-1 Antonyms
What is the antonym of "Acerbic"?
Answer & explanation
Answer: D) Saccharine
Meaning: acerbic = sharp and bitter, especially in speech or tone *(तीखा, कटु)*.
Saccharine = excessively sweet, sugary to the point of being cloying *(अति मधुर, शक्करयुक्त)* — sweetness set against bitterness.
The roots settle it: *acer* means sharp, *saccharum* means sugar.
Why the others are wrong.
• Sardonic = grimly mocking, scornful *(व्यंग्यपूर्ण, उपहासपूर्ण)* — a close cousin of *acerbic*, not its opposite.
• Sharp = cutting, keen, biting *(तीखा, पैना)* — the plain synonym.
• Scathing = severely critical, withering *(कठोर आलोचनात्मक, तीव्र निंदात्मक)* — the strongest synonym in the set.
Word help.
acerbity = bitterness of speech or of taste *(कटुता)*.
cloying = sweet to the point of - SSC CGL 2022 T-1 One Word Substitution
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words.
Sharp and directAnswer & explanation
Answer: C) Acerbic
Answer: Acerbic
Explanation:
“Acerbic” means sharp or direct (तीखा, तीव्र), exactly matching the sense of the phrase.
• Acidic refers to something sour or corrosive (तेज़ और खट्टा), not tone.
• Anodyne means soothing or not likely to offend (सुखदायक).
• Zoonic relates to animals (प्राणियों का).
Therefore, acerbic is the most appropriate choice.
Examples
- “His acerbic remarks often hurt his colleagues' feelings.”
acerbic – questions
What is the meaning of acerbic in Hindi?
acerbic means “कटु” in Hindi. In English: Sharp, forthright, and often harsh in tone, especially in speech or criticism
What are the synonyms of acerbic?
Synonyms of acerbic: sharp, caustic, biting, sarcastic, cutting.
What is the opposite of acerbic?
Antonyms of acerbic: gentle, mild, kind.
Has acerbic been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – acerbic has been asked 2 times in SSC exams: SSC Steno 2026 T-1, SSC CGL 2022 T-1.