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

Alas, The New York Times’ Vincent Canby delivered a scathing review. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026

Meanwhile, in a scathing dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor argued that the Court could not disregard the President’s racist intentions. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026

Jackson County used flawed property value assessments, inadequately notified taxpayers, conducted substandard inspections and had poor oversight, according to a scathing report from Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026

Trump delivered his scathing comments on the campaign trail, days before voters head to the polls for the midterm elections. — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 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