ACRID

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does acrid mean? 

• ACRID (adjective)
  The adjective ACRID has 2 senses:

1. strong and sharp

2. harsh or corrosive in tone

  Familiarity information: ACRID used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ACRID (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Strong and sharp

Synonyms:

acrid; pungent

Context example:

the acrid smell of burning rubber

Similar:

tasty (pleasing to the sense of taste)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Harsh or corrosive in tone

Synonyms:

acerb; acerbic; acid; acrid; bitter; blistering; caustic; sulfurous; sulphurous; virulent; vitriolic

Context example:

a vitriolic critique

Similar:

unpleasant (offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness)

Derivation:

acridity; acridness (the quality of being sharply disagreeable in language or tone)

 Context examples 

It was not alone that it was composed of all the ills of mortality and with the pungent, acrid smell of blood, but it seemed as though corruption had become itself corrupt.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The taste of the salt was strong in my mouth, and I was strangling with the acrid stuff in my throat and lungs.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

True, generous feeling is made small account of by some, but here were two natures rendered, the one intolerably acrid, the other despicably savourless for the want of it.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

A column of thick, acrid smoke—the kind always made by black powder—was arising through the open companion-way, and down through it leaped Wolf Larsen.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

There was no need to think them dead, for their stertorous breathing and the acrid smell of laudanum in the room left no doubt as to their condition.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Mr. Rochester then turned to the spectators: he looked at them with a smile both acrid and desolate.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The decanter of sherry was on the table half full, but there was a queer, acrid smell about.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Georgiana, who had a spoiled temper, a very acrid spite, a captious and insolent carriage, was universally indulged.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)