1 corrosive | Definition of corrosive

corrosive

adjective
cor·​ro·​sive | \ kə-ˈrō-siv How to pronounce corrosive (audio) , -ziv\

Definition of corrosive

1 : tending or having the power to corrode corrosive acids corrosive action the corrosive effects of alcoholism
2 : bitingly sarcastic corrosive satire

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Other Words from corrosive

corrosive noun
corrosively adverb
corrosiveness noun

Examples of corrosive in a Sentence

She argues that racism is dangerous and corrosive to society. a corrosive satire on the fashion industry and its movers and shakers

Recent Examples on the Web

The fact that the overall economy performed worse than anticipated is likely to increase concern about Brexit’s corrosive effect on the economy. Washington Post, "UK economy shrinks for first time since 2012 as Brexit bites," 9 Aug. 2019 The shift of multinational companies out of China, a trend that was already underway as a result of rising Chinese wages, could have a corrosive effect on growth. New York Times, "U.S. and China Resume Trade Talks Amid Dim Prospects for Deal," 29 July 2019 The more corrosive Flint River water was improperly treated and caused lead to leach from aging pipes into city homes and businesses. Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press, "Flint becomes destination for presidential candidates and their messages," 15 July 2019 River sand is best: grains of desert sand are often too rounded to serve as industrial binding agents, and marine sand is corrosive. Paul Salopek, National Geographic, "Inside the deadly world of India’s sand mining mafia," 26 June 2019 The problems stem from corrosive desert soil, Schwecke said. Sammy Roth, latimes.com, "After Aliso Canyon, a gas pipeline exploded — and Californians lost $1 billion," 11 July 2019 Prevailing anti-Muslim sentiment worldwide has heightened prejudice, with social media playing a corrosive role. Hannah Beech, New York Times, "‘Our Duty to Fight’: The Rise of Militant Buddhism," 8 July 2019 The Farm, Joanne Ramos’s 2019 debut novel, is a potent tangle of these themes: the corrosive allure of privilege, the ethics of putting a price on fertility, the fine line between employment and exploitation. The Atlantic, "What We’re Reading This Summer," 28 June 2019 David Budde’s new play, developed by Vantage Theatre with the La Jolla Theatre Ensemble, takes a hard look at complacency amid hate and the corrosive power of propaganda. Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, "11 things to do this weekend in San Diego: Bayside Summer Nights, Switchfoot Bro-Am, ‘Legendary Drag Queens of San Diego’," 28 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'corrosive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of corrosive

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for corrosive

Middle English corrosif, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin corrōsīvus, from Latin corrōsus, past participle of corrōdere "to gnaw, corrode" + -īvus -ive

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More Definitions for corrosive

corrosive

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of corrosive

: causing damage to metal or other materials through a chemical process
: causing someone or something to become weak and damaged

corrosive

adjective
cor·​ro·​sive | \ kə-ˈrō-siv How to pronounce corrosive (audio) , -ziv\

Kids Definition of corrosive

: tending or able to destroy, weaken, or wear away little by little corrosive substances

corrosive

adjective
cor·​ro·​sive | \ -ˈrō-siv, -ziv How to pronounce corrosive (audio) \

Medical Definition of corrosive

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: tending or having the power to corrode corrosive acids a corrosive gas

Other Words from corrosive

corrosiveness noun

corrosive

noun

Medical Definition of corrosive (Entry 2 of 2)

: a substance that corrodes : caustic