TER.

Synonyms:

acerb, acidulous, caustic, pungent, stinging,
acetous, acrid, cutting, savage, tart,
acid, acrimonious, harsh, sharp, vinegarish,
acidulated, biting, irate, sour, virulent.

_Acid_, _sour_, and _bitter_ agree in being contrasted with _sweet_,
but the two former are sharply distinguished from the latter. _Acid_ or
_sour_ is the taste of vinegar or lemon-juice; _bitter_ that of quassia,
quinine, or strychnine. _Acrid_ is nearly allied to _bitter_. _Pungent_
suggests the effect of pepper or snuff on the organs of taste or smell;
as, a _pungent_ odor. _Caustic_ indicates the corroding effect of some
strong chemical, as nitrate of silver. In a figurative sense, as applied
to language or character, these words are very closely allied. We say a
_sour_ face, _sharp_ words, _bitter_ complaints, _caustic_ wit,
_cutting_ irony, _biting_ sarcasm, a _stinging_ taunt, _harsh_ judgment,
a _tart_ reply. _Harsh_ carries the idea of intentional and severe
unkindness, _bitter_ of a severity that arises from real or supposed ill
treatment. The _bitter_ speech springs from the sore heart. _Tart_ and
_sharp_ utterances may not proceed from an intention to wound, but
merely from a wit recklessly keen; _cutting_, _stinging_, and _biting_
speech indicates more or less of hostile intent, the latter being the
more deeply malicious. The _caustic_ utterance is meant to burn, perhaps
wholesomely, as in the satire of Juvenal or Cervantes. Compare MOROSE.

Antonyms:

dulcet, honeyed, luscious, nectared, saccharine, sweet.

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BLEACH, _v._

Synonyms:

blanch, make white, whiten, whitewash.

To _whiten_ is to _make white_ in general, but commonly it means to
overspread with white coloring-matter. _Bleach_ and _blanch_ both
signify to _whiten_ by depriving of color, the former permanently, as
linen; the latter either permanently (as, to _blanch_ celery) or
temporarily (as, to _blanch_ the cheek with fear). To _whitewash_ is to
_whiten_ superficially, especially by false approval.

Antonyms:

blacken, color, darken, dye, soil, stain.

* * * * *

BLEMISH.

Synonyms:

blot, defacement, disgrace, injury, spot,
blur, defect, dishonor, reproach, stain,
brand, deformity, fault, smirch, stigma,
crack, dent, flaw