corrosive

[ kuh-roh-siv ]

adjective

1. having the quality of corroding or eating away; erosive.
2. harmful or destructive; deleterious:

   the corrosive effect of poverty on their marriage.

3. sharply sarcastic; caustic:

   corrosive comments on the speaker's integrity.

noun

1. something corrosive, as an acid or drug.

corrosive

/ kəˈrəʊsɪv /

adjective

1. (esp of acids or alkalis) capable of destroying solid materials
2. tending to eat away or consume
3. cutting; sarcastic

   a corrosive remark

noun

1. a corrosive substance, such as a strong acid or alkali

Derived Forms

• corˈrosively, adverb
• corˈrosiveness, noun

Other Words From

• cor·rosive·ly adverb
• cor·rosive·ness cor·ro·siv·i·ty [kawr-oh-, siv, -i-tee, kor-], noun
• noncor·rosive adjective
• noncor·rosive·ly adverb
• noncor·rosive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of corrosive¹

1350–1400; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Medieval Latin corrōsīvus, equivalent to Latin corrōs ( us ) ( corrosion ) + -īvus -ive; replacing Middle English corosif < Middle French < Latin as above

Example Sentences

Each franchise examines the corrosive nature of power when it’s consolidated into an insulated ruling class or, worse, one ill-suited custodian.

From Salon

A buzzy demo tape won them a contract with British label 4AD, and they were quickly embraced by the indie music press, where one writer described their corrosive sound as "a wild new shock".

From BBC

And how they want to get there — boosting turnout among a minority base by demonizing their fellow citizens — is highly corrosive to democracy itself.

From Salon

Inside a lab, her team of researchers are testing materials to withstand extreme heat, pressure and corrosive gases.

From BBC

But Smith’s multiple fallback positions might yet permit a jury to weigh a powerful and persuasive account of some of the former president’s most corrosive conduct.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acerbic
• caustic
• destructive
• incisive
• trenchant