acridly

comparative more acridly · superlative most acridly

1. In a harsh or corrosive manner.

   "I presume you are a stranger in this neighborhood," she said in an acridly condoning tone of voice.

   (Can we date this quote?), Arthur Stringer, Twin tales: Are All Men Alike, and The Lost Titian

   2 more examples

   There were no dreams, No phantoms in her future any more: One clinching revelation of what was One by-flash of irrevocable chance, Had acridly but honestly foretold The mystical fulfilment of a life That might have once … But that was all gone by

   1921, Edwin Arlington Robinson, “Imogen”, in Collected Poems, lines 113–119

   A few steps behind them Miss Scovell, eyeing the mere walk of the lovers, whispered acridly to her companion, "Jest look at that—ain't they sickening?"

   1926, Thomas Sigismund Stribling, Teeftallow