hydrofluoric acid
noun
hy·dro·flu·or·ic acid
ˌhī-drō-ˈflȯr-ik 
-ˈflu̇r-
-ˈflu̇r-
: an aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride HF that is a weak poisonous acid, that attacks silica and silicates, and that is used especially in finishing and etching glass
Examples of hydrofluoric acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Torrance Refinery Action Alliance organized the rally and argued that safer alternatives exist, and that many of the refineries in California no longer use hydrofluoric acid.
PBF Energy, which purchased the refinery in 2016, issued a statement Saturday rebutting the activists’ accusations.
—
Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2024
Lithography and etching can produce acidic wastewater, and can even contaminate it with powerful hydrofluoric acid.
—Rebecca Heilweil, WIRED, 19 July 2023
And even silicates will be damaged if they are cleaned with a solution that includes hydrofluoric acid, which is commonly found in rust-removers and toilet bowl cleaners, according to the Natural Stone Institute, an industry group.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 26 May 2023
Also added during the separation process: organic compounds including kerosene, trichloroethylene, hexone, tributyl phosphate and carbon tetrachloride, as well as inorganics including sodium bismuthate, hydrofluoric acid, sodium dichromate, sulfuric acid and diatomaceous earth.
—Valerie Brown, Discover Magazine, 28 Sep. 2018
Its distinctive misty effect was created by treating clear colorless, blue or pink glass with vaporized hydrofluoric acid.
—Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022
Most importantly, the finale (and set of twists) is quite strong here, all of it intercut rather brilliantly with the health exec being slowly dissolved via dozens of simultaneous hydrofluoric acid injections.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 28 Sep. 2022
Nobody was killed, but 3,271 pounds of highly toxic hydrofluoric acid leaked into the community.
—Evan Halper, Anchorage Daily News, 21 June 2022
Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2024
Lithography and etching can produce acidic wastewater, and can even contaminate it with powerful hydrofluoric acid.
—Rebecca Heilweil, WIRED, 19 July 2023
And even silicates will be damaged if they are cleaned with a solution that includes hydrofluoric acid, which is commonly found in rust-removers and toilet bowl cleaners, according to the Natural Stone Institute, an industry group.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 26 May 2023
Also added during the separation process: organic compounds including kerosene, trichloroethylene, hexone, tributyl phosphate and carbon tetrachloride, as well as inorganics including sodium bismuthate, hydrofluoric acid, sodium dichromate, sulfuric acid and diatomaceous earth.
—Valerie Brown, Discover Magazine, 28 Sep. 2018
Its distinctive misty effect was created by treating clear colorless, blue or pink glass with vaporized hydrofluoric acid.
—Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022
Most importantly, the finale (and set of twists) is quite strong here, all of it intercut rather brilliantly with the health exec being slowly dissolved via dozens of simultaneous hydrofluoric acid injections.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 28 Sep. 2022
Nobody was killed, but 3,271 pounds of highly toxic hydrofluoric acid leaked into the community.
—Evan Halper, Anchorage Daily News, 21 June 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hydrofluoric acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near hydrofluoric acid
Cite this Entry
“Hydrofluoric acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrofluoric%20acid. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hydrofluoric acid
noun
hy·dro·flu·or·ic acid
ˌhī-drō-flu̇-ˌȯr-ik-
-flu̇-ˌär-ik-
-flu̇-ˌär-ik-
: a weak poisonous acid that is formed by dissolving hydrogen fluoride in water
Medical Definition
hydrofluoric acid
noun
hy·dro·flu·or·ic acid
-ˌflu̇r-ik-
-ˌflōr-
-ˌflōr-
-ˌflȯr-
: an aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride HF that is a weak poisonous acid, that resembles hydrochloric acid chemically but attacks silica and silicates, and that is used especially in finishing and etching glass
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