scathing
adjective
scath·ing
ˈskā-ṯẖiŋ 
: bitterly severe
a scathing condemnation
scathingly
adverb
Synonyms
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
An influential United Nations human rights body delivered a scathing assessment on the protection of civil rights in Britain, accusing the Conservative government of backsliding and urging them to abandon a controversial legislation to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.
—
Niki Kitsantonis, New York Times, 11 June 2024
The full extent of the secrecy became clear this year when the transit authority’s auditor general, Scott Johnson, issued a scathing report documenting staff coverup.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 7 June 2024
In its scathing investigation of LMPD published last year, the U.S. Department of Justice criticized LMPD for failing to impose meaningful consequences for officer misconduct.
—Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 29 May 2024
In true comedic form, Molly gives a scathing speech about how John does so much harm to the world and suffers no consequences for it.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for scathing 
Niki Kitsantonis, New York Times, 11 June 2024
The full extent of the secrecy became clear this year when the transit authority’s auditor general, Scott Johnson, issued a scathing report documenting staff coverup.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 7 June 2024
In its scathing investigation of LMPD published last year, the U.S. Department of Justice criticized LMPD for failing to impose meaningful consequences for officer misconduct.
—Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 29 May 2024
In true comedic form, Molly gives a scathing speech about how John does so much harm to the world and suffers no consequences for it.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for scathing
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scathing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near scathing
Cite this Entry
“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scathing. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share