NSW Selective & Scholarship
Caustic
adjective/KAWS-tik/
Bitterly sarcastic and cutting, or able to burn by chemical action.
In contextThe caustic cleaning liquid burned a hole in the old rag.
Remember it
Caustic sounds like 'cost-stick' — words so sharp they cost you, stinging like acid.
Use it well
Use 'caustic' for cruel, cutting remarks, or literally for burning chemicals.