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

Attorney Sheree Wright represents all of the defendants, but the Suns issued scathing remarks about her. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2025

Springsteen, though, made scathing remarks about Trump’s presidency during the start of his European tour, calling the president’s administration an authoritarian regime. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 May 2025

But that’s how long this legal battle has been, and how long it’s taken to produce a meaningful result in the case that ended in a scathing opinion from a judge about Apple’s behavior. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

Since its premiere, however, the show underwent a public reevaluation amid the coronavirus pandemic, with some fans posting scathing critiques of the show's judging, photo challenges, and more. —EW.com, 13 May 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