scathing

adjective

scath·​ing ˈskā-ṯẖiŋ How to pronounce scathing (audio)
: bitterly severe
a scathing condemnation
scathingly adverb
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Days after San Mateo County released a scathing report accusing Sheriff Christina Corpus of abuse of power and other wrongdoing, her acting assistant sheriff Matthew Fox resigned Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office said. Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024 The chief judge of the federal court in Grand Rapids denied the request in a scathing order. Rich Schapiro, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2024 The court sided with Chasing Horse, saying in its scathing order that prosecutors had abused the grand jury process. CBS News, 31 Oct. 2024 Wood wrote the majority opinion in the controversial decision to uphold Thurston’s rejection of the measure, while Baker wrote a scathing dissent. USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scathing 

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scathing was in 1794

Dictionary Entries Near scathing

Cite this Entry

“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scathing. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

scathing

adjective
scath·​ing
ˈskā-t͟hiŋ
: painfully harsh
a scathing look
scathingly
-t͟hiŋ-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on scathing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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