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
Relevance
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
Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Like many public education advocates, Bruno had hoped a scathing report from the state auditor general would have prompted the Legislature to add accountability measures to the voucher program.
—Jeffrey S. Solochek, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 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
But a scathing audit last year by the state auditor found that severe staffing shortages have meant the majority of the agency’s workplace investigations are conducted by letter rather than in person —an approach that relies on employers largely policing themselves.
—Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Like many public education advocates, Bruno had hoped a scathing report from the state auditor general would have prompted the Legislature to add accountability measures to the voucher program.
—Jeffrey S. Solochek, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 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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As journalism scholar Paul Alonso writes, looking at two cases from South America, sometimes satirical media takes up the slack.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Mar. 2026
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Since its premiere, the show has received critical acclaim for Smart and Einbender’s performances, as well as its satirical look at the ins and outs of show business.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The adjective ‘brave’ should never be used in reference to a person attacking a dead person.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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Trump reacted by attacking Springsteen over his physical appearance and urging his MAGA fanbase to boycott the tour.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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James then scrunched his face into a sarcastic, close-eyed smile.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
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Brendon was a fan favorite among the cast for his loyalty to his friends and sarcastic sense of humor.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The wing struck the roof of a home before slamming into an exterior wall of a second home next door.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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The pair have been in physical altercations in the past, including Manning's 2012 arrest for allegedly punching, scratching, kicking and choking Hartman – whom media outlets have referred to as Manning's former make-up artist and assistant – and slamming her head against the floor and wall.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Page used barbed wire wrapped around a chair to bust MJF open and hit a Deadeye through a table.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 Mar. 2026
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Have Faith Haiti, with its 30-foot-tall walls, barbed wire and guard towers, looks like a prison from the outside.—
Denise Schrier Cetta,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 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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The acidic composition of white vinegar works efficiently to break down the film that can accumulate on your windows.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
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That’s thanks to a confluence of factors, not least of which is advancing can liner technology that make acidic beverages, like wine, more stable inside the package.—
Kate Bernot,
Outside,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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The famous detective novelist and screenwriter had written an essay for the magazine excoriating the motion-picture industry and its tolerance for—indeed celebration of—mindless mediocrity.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scathing. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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