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

He’s a destructive, corrosive force.

From Los Angeles Times

“He didn’t invent divisive rhetoric. We have a long history with that. But he’s taken it to new heights. He stands apart from any American president in history for what he’s doing to the country. He’s a destructive, corrosive force.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

• acerbic
• caustic
• destructive
• incisive
• trenchant