corrosive
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “corrosive” mean?
adjective.tending to cause chemical deterioration; bitingly sarcastic.
SAT Usage
Corrosive often appears in contexts discussing criticism, societal issues, or the deterioration of relationships. It emphasizes the damaging, often insidious nature of such effects, suggesting a gradual yet harmful influence, unlike similar words like "abrasive," which may imply a more direct or immediate impact.
Common Confusions
Corrosive implies a gradual and insidious damage to relationships or ideas, while abrasive usually suggests a harsh and immediate impact that can be more overtly disruptive.
Do not choose corrosive if the context emphasizes a physical substance that causes damage rather than a biting sarcasm or tendency to cause corrosion.
Example Sentences
-
Jealousy can be corrosive to even the strongest friendship.