Caustics, the term used to describe the property of a substance that has the ability to burn and corrode materials, has a number of synonyms. One of the most common words used to describe caustics is "corrosives." Other synonyms include "abrasives," "etching agents," and "reactive substances." These words all convey the same sense of a substance that is powerful and potentially dangerous if not handled with care. Other words that could be used to describe caustics include "irritants," "toxins," and "chemicals," although these words do not necessarily convey the same level of destructive power that is associated with the term "caustics".