mordant
/mɔː(ɹ)dənt/
Group 9Difficulty 3/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Having or showing a sharp or critical quality; biting GRE
Example in Context
The columnist's mordant commentary on political hypocrisy earned her both a devoted readership and powerful enemies.
Synonyms
sharpbitingcutting
Etymology
Literally means 'to bite,' reflecting a sharp or critical quality in speech.
- mordere (Latin) — to bite
Memory Aid
🦷Sounds like “more dent”
A comedian with a MORDANT sense of humor leaving the audience with MORE DENTS in their sides from laughing!
Visual Association
🗡️A sharp-tongued critic delivering biting reviews that cut deep like a sword.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “mordant” mean on the GRE?
mordant (adjective) means “Having or showing a sharp or critical quality; biting”. The columnist's mordant commentary on political hypocrisy earned her both a devoted readership and powerful enemies.
How to remember “mordant” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “mordant” sounds like “more dent”. A comedian with a MORDANT sense of humor leaving the audience with MORE DENTS in their sides from laughing!
What are synonyms for “mordant”?
Common synonyms: sharp, biting, cutting.