Synonyms and related words :
acerb, acerbate, acerbic, acid, acidic, acidulent, acidulous, acrid, acrimonious, acute, afflictive, agonizing, astringent, atrocious, bayonetting, biting, bitter, brisk, caustic, corroding, corrosive, cramping, cruel, cutting, distressing, double-edged, edged, escharotic, excruciating, fierce, gnawing, grave, griping, hard, harrowing, harsh, hurtful, hurting, impalement, incisive, keen, knifelike, knifing, mordacious, mordant, painful, paroxysmal, penetrating, piercing, poignant, pungent, racking, rigorous, rough, scathing, scorching, severe, sharp, shooting, spasmatic, spasmic, spasmodic, stinging, strident, stringent, tart, the sword, tormenting, torturous, transfixion, trenchant, vehement, violent, virulent, vitriolic, withering