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Abrasive vs. Acerbic — What's the Difference?

Abrasive vs. Acerbic — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Abrasive and Acerbic

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Abrasive

An abrasive is a material, often a mineral, that is used to shape or finish a workpiece through rubbing which leads to part of the workpiece being worn away by friction. While finishing a material often means polishing it to gain a smooth, reflective surface, the process can also involve roughening as in satin, matte or beaded finishes.

Acerbic

(especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright
His acerbic wit

Abrasive

Causing abrasion
Scratched the stovetop with an abrasive cleanser.

Acerbic

Tasting sour or bitter.

Abrasive

Harsh and rough in manner
An unpleasant, abrasive personality.
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Acerbic

Sour or bitter tasting; acid.

Abrasive

A substance that abrades.

Acerbic

Sharp or biting, as in character or expression
"At times, the playwright allows an acerbic tone to pierce through otherwise arid or flowery prose" (Alvin Klein).

Abrasive

Producing abrasion; rough enough to wear away the outer surface.

Acerbic

Tasting sour or bitter.

Abrasive

Being rough and coarse in manner or disposition; overly aggressive and causing irritation.
An abrasive person can grate on one's sensibilities.
Despite her proper upbringing, we found her manners to be terribly abrasive.

Acerbic

(figurative) Sharp, harsh, biting.

Abrasive

A hard inorganic substance or material consisting in powder or granule form such as sandpaper, pumice, or emery, used for cleaning, smoothing, or polishing.

Acerbic

Sour or severe.

Abrasive

(geology) Rock fragments, sand grains, mineral particles, used by water, wind, and ice to abrade a land surface.

Acerbic

Sour or bitter in taste

Abrasive

Producing abrasion.

Acerbic

Harsh or corrosive in tone;
An acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose
A barrage of acid comments
Her acrid remarks make her many enemies
Bitter words
Blistering criticism
Caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics
A sulfurous denunciation

Abrasive

A substance that abrades or wears down

Abrasive

Causing abrasion

Abrasive

Sharply disagreeable; rigorous;
The harsh facts of court delays
An abrasive character

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