2. Sharpness or severity, as of language or temper;
irritating bitterness of disposition or manners.
John the Baptist set himself with much acrimony and
indignation to baffle this senseless arrogant
conceit of theirs. --South.
Syn: {Acrimony}, {Asperity}, {Harshness}, {Tartness}.
Usage: These words express different degrees of angry feeling
or language. Asperity and harshness arise from angry
feelings, connected with a disregard for the feelings
of others. Harshness usually denotes needless severity
or an undue measure of severity. Acrimony is a biting
sharpness produced by an imbittered spirit. Tartness
denotes slight asperity and implies some degree of
intellectual readiness. Tartness of reply; harshness
of accusation; acrimony of invective.
In his official letters he expressed, with great
acrimony, his contempt for the king's character.
--Macaulay.
It is no very cynical asperity not to confess
obligations where no benefit has been received.
--Johnson.
A just reverence of mankind prevents the growth
of harshness and brutality. --Shaftesbury.