scathing

adjective

scath·​ing ˈskā-ṯẖiŋ 

: bitterly severe

a scathing condemnation

scathingly adverb

Synonyms of scathing

• satiric
• sarcastic
• barbed
• acidic

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

Fired 60 Minutes veteran Scott Pelley hasn’t quoted poet John Masefield in any of his scathing statements since embattled CBS News chief Bari Weiss and new newsmagazine EP Nick Bilton canned him for rejecting their regime earlier this week. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 June 2026

Pelley’s scathing remarks immediately leaked to outside news outlets and ignited a crisis inside CBS. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

In 2023, just months after Greenberg took office, the DOJ published a scathing report on the police department’s pattern of misconduct and constitutional violations. —Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 2 June 2026

School Board member Adam Cervera, who has been particularly critical of Ajayi, posted a scathing response on social media after reading the tax collector’s news release. —Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scathing

• bathing
• lathing
• sunbathing

Kids Definition

scathing

adjective

scath·​ing

ˈskā-t͟hiŋ

: painfully harsh

a scathing look

scathingly

-t͟hiŋ-lē

adverb