adjective HSK 5
harsh and venomous · cutting and cruel · caustic · acrimonious

Meaning

刻毒 describes words, actions, or attitudes that are both cutting (刻) and poisonous (毒). It refers to speech or behavior that is deliberately cruel, biting, or venomous in nature. The term emphasizes the intentional harm and lack of mercy in someone's criticism or treatment of others.

Usage

刻毒 is typically used in written or formal contexts to describe particularly harsh criticism, cruel remarks, or malicious behavior. It carries a strong negative connotation and is often used to condemn someone's excessive cruelty in speech. Common in describing verbal attacks, satirical writing, or deliberately hurtful comments.

Examples

  1. 01
    他的评论过于刻毒,伤害了很多人的感情。
    de píng lùn guò , shāng hài le hěn duō rén de gǎn qíng.
    His comments were too caustic and hurt many people's feelings.
  2. 02
    她用刻毒的语言讽刺对手,显得很不礼貌。
    yòng de yán fěng duì shǒu, xiǎn de hěn mào.
    She used harsh and venomous language to satirize her opponent, which seemed very impolite.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 刻毒的批评
    de píng
    harsh criticism
  • 刻毒的语言
    de yán
    caustic language
  • 言辞刻毒
    yán
    venomous words

Antonyms

Origin

The compound combines 刻 (cutting, carving, suggesting sharpness) with 毒 (poison), creating a metaphor for words or actions that cut like a blade and poison like venom.

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