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.
In the hours after prosecutors say O’Keefe died, Read called him dozens of times, testimony showed, leaving eight scathing voicemails. Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 11 June 2025 Guardiola was even more scathing in March when Manchester City came from behind to beat Plymouth Argyle 3-1 in the FA Cup fifth round. Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 June 2025 The chief auditor for Broward schools should be fired, said one School Board member, who wrote a scathing evaluation. Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025 The comparison drew a scathing response from the President Donald Trump’s White House on Thursday night. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 5 June 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 23 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!