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

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

Nearly three years after Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick released a scathing audit of the sheriff’s office’s extraordinary spending practices, the Republican announced a follow-up report on Tuesday. —Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 27 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