as in satiric
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
a scathing rebuttal of the latest theory concerning the assassination
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in attacking
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
newspaper cartoonists scathed the lecherous governor with a series of cruel caricatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scathing
Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Cody Rhodes destroys ‘outside forces’ in scathing promo Cody Rhodes’ promos in the midst of Pat McAfee’s insertion into his WrestleMania feud with Randy Orton blurred the line on what was real and what was kayfabe.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Isabelle Friedman, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Much has been written about the changes, often in scathing online reviews.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scathing
Adjective
Smith’s book doesn’t take on the more scathing critiques of contemporary art, such as Scruton’s.
—Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Cody Rhodes destroys ‘outside forces’ in scathing promo Cody Rhodes’ promos in the midst of Pat McAfee’s insertion into his WrestleMania feud with Randy Orton blurred the line on what was real and what was kayfabe.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
From in-depth local news pieces that got to the heart of our communities’ needs to scathing investigative works holding public officials accountable, the Boston Herald’s coverage sought to encapsulate the most important stories for our readership each and every day.
—Isabelle Friedman, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Much has been written about the changes, often in scathing online reviews.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scathing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scathing
Adjective
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My satiric letter advised parents to teach their children to settle disputes with hockey sticks, like their favorite hockey players.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
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The satirical news outlet sought approval of the InfoWars deal Thursday, but an emergency motion filed by Jones’ lawyers was approved by the Texas Third Court of Appeals, the Associated Press reports, with a hearing set for May 28.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Fitz also has some stiff competition in the attacking midfield.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2026
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Trump and his allies are attacking democracy itself, from the rights to protest and exist freely to the rights to fair jobs and livable wages.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Middle of Nowhere’s Kacey is witty, a bit sarcastic, alternately ecstatic and frustrated but always ready to entertain.—
Molly Mary O’Brien,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
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According to a live feed from The New York Times, within minutes of the third day starting, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers had to reproach Musk, instructing him to stop being sarcastic and evasive.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The world’s second largest economy has been relatively insulated from the historic global oil crisis slamming its neighbors – including key regional US allies – due to China’s huge oil reserves, its high level of energy self-sufficiency and its early shift to green energy.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
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Stewart’s critics have been slamming her, saying there was a pattern of favoritism at city hall during her 12-year tenure.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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Against the backdrop of prison watchtowers and barbed wire, the day in Joliet featured three hours’ worth of pregame festivities, including 15 food trucks serving delicacies as quintessential as hot dogs and as unique as gourmet pasta in garlic bread cones.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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In the 20th century, some of the biggest names in comedy may be remembered more for their warm, inviting jokes than their more barbed satire, but the likes of Bob Hope and Johnny Carson had plenty to say about politics.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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First, as the Florida ACLU’s Howard Simon points out, Uthmeier is not scolding another branch of government.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2026
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Security guard Pascal Duvier, most recently infamous for allegedly scolding 11-year-old Ada Law at a hotel in São Paulo, is clearing the air.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Avoid using vinegar and other acidic cleaners to clean glass doors in showers with natural stone because the acidity can etch or damage the finish.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 May 2026
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Sodium bisulfate is an acidic salt often used to lower pH in swimming pools, spas and industrial water systems, and is also used in metal finishing, food processing, cleaning products and sanitizing.—
Kris Habermehl,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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At a parliamentary hearing in 2023, MPs asked the former minister of state for development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, a series of excoriating questions about its decision to invest taxpayer money in companies accused of human rights breaches, including the Nairobi Women’s Hospital.—
Hettie O'Brien,
The Dial,
21 Apr. 2026
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The movie’s second half travels to the Gaza border for a series of excoriating, excruciating monologues with the literal fog of war as background.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Vanity Fair,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scathing. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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