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
The announcement comes after a special grand jury issued a scathing report Wednesday that found glaring security lapses that led to the shooting and recommended a criminal investigation of a high-ranking Newport News School District official over the missing evidence.
—
Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
The issue came to light earlier this year, after microbiologist and volunteer science sleuth Sholto David posted a scathing post on his blog.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The board instead voted to postpone the decision after a scathing presentation from the founder of Prismatic Services, which investigated the district's first day of school busing disaster.
—Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 9 Apr. 2024
Schey’s group filed a scathing report in 2018 with testimony from more than 200 parents and children held in California, Texas and other states who described cramped cells, cold or frozen food and a lack of basic hygiene products.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Her July appointment came after former Elections Director Geraldine Roll resigned with a scathing email to County Manager Leo Lew, citing a toxic work environment and attempts by county supervisors to politicize the Elections Department.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2024
The statues of Mary and Joseph bearing silent witness to this back-and-forth feels like a scathing commentary on America’s disintegrating values.
—EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024
The Ocean was also the subject of a scathing review by American YouTube personality Marques Brownlee.
—Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
That was offset, however, by Consumer Reports giving the vehicle a scathing review—not the first one it’s received.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024
Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
The issue came to light earlier this year, after microbiologist and volunteer science sleuth Sholto David posted a scathing post on his blog.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The board instead voted to postpone the decision after a scathing presentation from the founder of Prismatic Services, which investigated the district's first day of school busing disaster.
—Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 9 Apr. 2024
Schey’s group filed a scathing report in 2018 with testimony from more than 200 parents and children held in California, Texas and other states who described cramped cells, cold or frozen food and a lack of basic hygiene products.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Her July appointment came after former Elections Director Geraldine Roll resigned with a scathing email to County Manager Leo Lew, citing a toxic work environment and attempts by county supervisors to politicize the Elections Department.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2024
The statues of Mary and Joseph bearing silent witness to this back-and-forth feels like a scathing commentary on America’s disintegrating values.
—EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024
The Ocean was also the subject of a scathing review by American YouTube personality Marques Brownlee.
—Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
That was offset, however, by Consumer Reports giving the vehicle a scathing review—not the first one it’s received.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024
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 24 Apr. 2024.
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