asperity

noun

ə-ˈsper-ə-tē How to pronounce asperity (audio)
Definition of asperitynext
1
as in bitterness
a harsh or sharp quality doesn't like the asperity of most experimental music

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in severity
biting sharpness of feeling or expression she responded with such asperity that we knew she was deeply offended by the question

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3
as in hardship
something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal He overcame his share of asperities on the road to success.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of asperity Faults typically contain surface irregularities, known as asperities, which prevent smooth movement between tectonic plates. — Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025 What gives the movie much of its poignancy and power is Hart’s realization, and ours, that the asperity and regret showcased in his famous lyrics are no longer in fashion. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 23 Oct. 2025 Advertisement On a re-read, Orwell’s narrative holds up, in large part due to the asperity of the prose and the prescient description of how fascism can creep into any society that takes freedom for granted. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023 Her asperity has brought upon her the full flaming rage of the Twittersphere. — Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 2 Oct. 2022 Imagine Don Draper’s grasp of American psychopathology delivered with the pithy asperity of Emily Dickinson. — Megan O’Grady, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2020 By the time Keane wrote Devoted Ladies, a note of asperity had crept into her fiction. — Francine Prose, The New York Review of Books, 22 Nov. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for asperity
  1. bitterness
  2. severity
  3. hardship
  4. edge
  5. hostility
  6. difficulty
  7. bite
  8. virulence
Noun
  • Some are prized for their sweet custard and fruity notes, others for a hint of bitterness, an alcohol tinge or even a peanut butter flavor.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Arugula’s natural bitterness kicks off digestion before the first bite, cueing saliva, stomach acid and digestive enzymes that help the body prepare to break down a meal.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of bitterness
Noun
  • The severity of reactions can vary widely, ranging from mild symptoms to potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Kidney Disease Can Disrupt the Balance Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can disrupt the balance of magnesium in the blood, depending on the severity.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of severity
Noun
  • But they were seen as adding undue hardships to people who rely heavily on the care.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In doing so, the report adds new data to a growing pile of information about poverty and economic hardship in the state, showing that even before some of the upcoming federal benefit cuts take effect, a growing number of households are struggling.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of hardship
Noun
  • Yet, as in many speculative markets, sophisticated participants often have access to better information, stronger analytical tools and more advanced risk-management techniques than retail participants, giving them an informational edge.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The eastern edge of the park is the north-south alley that serves businesses along Laramie.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • When a quarrel over an inheritance revives old hostilities, their relationship comes under pressure from greed and treachery in a conflict not of their making.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Grynkewich's remarks had followed a tense weekend between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow launching fresh strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure despite diplomatic efforts to reduce hostilities.
    — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • Meeting its director can reveal the uncertainty, the practical difficulties, and the necessary compromises.
    — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This is still largely lost due to damage to refineries and the difficulty of exporting products by ship.
    — Mike Sheen, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of difficulty
Noun
  • The pilots informed air traffic controllers ahead of landing that one person had a bloody nose and another person had bite marks and requested that medical personnel be waiting at the gate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The mild sweetness of onions pairs naturally with tallow’s savory character, and when fried at the right temperature the coating turns crisp and golden without the onions losing their tender bite.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of bite
Noun
  • Firefighters and authorities in both European countries were caught off guard by the virulence of the fires, which were fueled by high temperatures and the long-term effects of climate change.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • The virulence of the French and Spanish wildfires, fueled by high temperatures and the long-term effects of climate change, caught fire crews and authorities off guard.
    — Mark Carlson, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Definition of virulence

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Cite this Entry

“Asperity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asperity. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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