scathing

1 of 2

adjective

scath·​ing ˈskā-ṯẖiŋ 

: bitterly severe

a scathing condemnation

scathingly adverb

scathing

2 of 2

present participle of scathe entry 2

Synonyms of scathing

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

a scathing review of the book

a scathing rebuttal of the latest theory concerning the assassination

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Beginning in late 2025, Alfsonso’s had been the subject of three scathing AHCA inspections. — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Federal agents came to the home of a Rochester, New York, man who had written a scathing email to ICE’s acting director. — Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2026

In 2024, Kushner gave a talk at Harvard and offered scathing assessments of some notable diplomatic accomplishments from previous Administrations. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

But in the wake of this scathing review, Smith received an outpouring of support from actors and producers including Mary Tyler Moore, former NBC CEO Grant Tinker, and Aaron Spelling. — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of scathe entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

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