Abstract: A stabilized acrylic acid composition is provided in which the polymerization of the acrylic acid is inhibited during the distillation process for purifying or separating the acrylic acid as well as during transport and storage. The compositions of the present invention comprise three components: (A) acrylic acid, (B) a stable nitroxyl radical, e.g., the nitroxyl radical 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (CAS registry number 2226-96-2) (HTEMPO), and (C) a dihetero-substituted benzene compound having at least one transferable hydrogen, e.g., a quinone derivative such as the mono-methyl-ether of hydroquinone (MEHQ). During the distillation process, transport and storage, components (B) and (C) are present in a polymerization-inhibiting amount. During the distillation process, oxygen (D) is preferably added with components (B) and (C).