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.
Last year, the White House instituted Cyber Safety Review Board published a report on the breach that was scathing in its criticism of Microsoft. Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 In his new interview with Andrew Callaghan, Hunter offered a particularly scathing takedown of George Clooney, who famously penned an op-ed for The New York Times in July 2024 that publicly urged Biden to drop out of the race. Meredith Kile, People.com, 21 July 2025 Background: In 2023, a senior NYPD official wrote a scathing internal audit after finding that CRT officers were wrongfully stopping New Yorkers and failing to document the incidents. Eric Umansky, ProPublica, 17 July 2025 Other administration officials have been much more direct, sometimes scathing in their broadsides at Powell. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 16 July 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scathing. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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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