WordLens

mordacious

1 of 1adjective
/mɔrˈdeɪʃəs/
Forms:more mordacious,most mordacious
1

(of animals) tending to bite or sting as a means of defense, feeding, etc.

  • The dog had become mordacious after being mistreated and would bite anyone who approached.
  • Farmers had to carefully protect their livestock from the mordacious foxes that roamed the countryside.
  • The swarm of mordacious mosquitoes descended on anyone who ventured outside at dusk.
2

using biting, indirect criticism to challenge ideas or expose flaws in people

  • Jane was well known for her mordacious wit and biting social commentary.
  • Critics praised the film for its mordacious depiction of suburban hypocrisy.
  • His acerbic wit and mordacious skepticism about authority made him unpopular with administrators.
  • His mordacious humor often used subtle jabs to critique social norms and expose their weaknesses.
  • The columnist’s mordacious writing style was aimed at uncovering hypocrisy and challenging the status quo.