scathing

adjective

scath·​ing ˈskā-ṯẖiŋ 

: bitterly severe

a scathing condemnation

scathingly adverb

Synonyms

• acerb
• acerbic
• acid
• acidic
• acidulous
• acrid
• barbed
• biting
• caustic
• corrosive
• cutting
• mordant
• pungent
• sarcastic
• sardonic
• satiric
• satirical
• scalding
• sharp
• smart-aleck
• smart-alecky
• smart-mouthed
• snarky
• tart

Choose the Right Synonym for scathing

caustic, mordant, acrid, scathing mean stingingly incisive.

caustic suggests a biting wit.

caustic comments

mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

mordant reviews of the play

acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence.

acrid invective

scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity.

a scathing satire

Examples of scathing in a Sentence

a scathing review of the book

a scathing rebuttal of the latest theory concerning the assassination

Recent Examples on the Web

Sarah had similarly scathing words for her former stepmother. —Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 10 May 2025

Conservative leaders faced a scathing rejection at the ballot box. —Matina Stevis-Gridneff, New York Times, 4 May 2025

In a scathing order, U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford said Mahdawi was not a flight risk nor a danger to society, citing his strong ties to Vermont, studies at Columbia and eagerness to pursue American citizenship — even at risk of being detained. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2025

What else is going on Kamala Harris plans a scathing critique of Trump in her first major speech since leaving office. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scathing

• bathing
• lathing
• sunbathing

Kids Definition

scathing

adjective

scath·​ing

ˈskā-t͟hiŋ

: painfully harsh

a scathing look

scathingly

-t͟hiŋ-lē

adverb