as in satirical
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
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
After the latter fixture, right at the end of last month, John Anderson, the former Newcastle player, was scathing about Guimaraes on BBC Newcastle.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Others wrote to her about the piece, too—letters at turns laudatory and scathing, supportive and sexist, and sometimes moving.
—The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Had the supporter unloaded some scathing abuse, said something demeaning about his appearance, or insulted his family, such a reaction would have been warranted.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scathing
Adjective
Zegler repeatedly criticized the original film and wrote a scathing post-election message about Donald Trump.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
After the latter fixture, right at the end of last month, John Anderson, the former Newcastle player, was scathing about Guimaraes on BBC Newcastle.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Others wrote to her about the piece, too—letters at turns laudatory and scathing, supportive and sexist, and sometimes moving.
—The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Had the supporter unloaded some scathing abuse, said something demeaning about his appearance, or insulted his family, such a reaction would have been warranted.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scathing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scathing
Verb
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And all up and down the 800-mile front line in western Russia and northern, eastern and southern Ukraine, Russian troops are attacking.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
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But future opponents will surely seek to incorporate elements of the defensive blueprint which helped Everton and Fulham derail Chelsea’s attacking momentum.—
Liam Twomey,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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That’s the premise of Douglas Is Cancelled, a cruelly funny 2024 BBC sitcom that seems very much in sync with satiric comedies such as The Office and W1A and Yes Minister.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
22 Mar. 2025
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Misery, a horror movie with a satiric streak, launched Bates’s film stardom.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Hundreds of drones being used as part of a Saturday night aerial light show in Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando appeared to be flying into position before several started falling from the sky before slamming to the ground, according to videos posted online.—
Louis Casiano,
Fox News,
23 Dec. 2024
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His endorsement of the AfD came alongside a video of a far-right German commentator slamming the leading candidate to become Germany’s next chancellor, the conservative Friedrich Merz.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Always down to gossip and party, Redmond exudes Gemini's energy through his zesty and sarcastic attitude.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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This is not just a sarcastic take but a practical one.—
Jaron Lanier,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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They are usually laid out in vast fields ahead of defensive positions, marked with barbed wire and warning signs Such minefields slow down or halt an enemy assault.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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An enemy then grabs the barbed wire with his bare hands — which already sounds like a bad idea, btw — only for the wire to shock him backward.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scathing. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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