1
: sharp and harsh or unpleasantly pungent in taste or odor : irritating
acrid smoke
2
: deeply or violently bitter : acrimonious
an acrid denunciation
Did you know?
Acrid exactly fits the smoke from a fire—a burning building or forest, for example. Dense smog may cast an acrid pall over a city, making throats burn and eyes sting. But, like acid and acerbic, acrid sometimes also describes nonphysical things, such as the remarks of a bitter person.
Synonyms
Examples of acrid in a Sentence
Thick, acrid smoke rose from the factory.
there have been acrid relations between the two families ever since they fought over that strip of land
Recent Examples on the Web
Ivan disappears in a panic, leaving no more trace than an acrid wisp of tire-burn smoke.
—
Tom Gliatto, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024
And the acrid smell of petroleum polluted the coastline’s air.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
Zinging semi acrid aromas of limes and gooseberries and white plums here.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024
Some accounts also mention a hissing or crackling sound accompanying the phenomenon, while others report an acrid smell, possibly from ozone or burning materials.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for acrid 
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Tom Gliatto, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024
And the acrid smell of petroleum polluted the coastline’s air.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
Zinging semi acrid aromas of limes and gooseberries and white plums here.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024
Some accounts also mention a hissing or crackling sound accompanying the phenomenon, while others report an acrid smell, possibly from ozone or burning materials.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for acrid
Articles Related to acrid
Dictionary Entries Near acrid
Cite this Entry
“Acrid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acrid. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
acrid
adjective
ac·rid
ˈak-rəd 
1
: biting or bitter in taste or odor
2
: bitterly irritating to the feelings
an acrid remark
acridly
adverb
acridness
noun
Medical Definition
acrid
adjective
ac·rid
ˈak-rəd
: irritatingly sharp and harsh or unpleasantly pungent in taste or odor
acridly
adverb
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