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

The 27-year-old hasn’t been in the Kodak since publicly condemning both parents in a scathing Instagram Story back in January. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026

On July 7, the Duke of Sussex and a fellow claimant, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, issued a scathing statement following a judge’s dismissal of their case against the Daily Mail’s publisher, Associated Newspapers Limited, which was filed in 2022. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 7 July 2026

New York resident sues ICE after federal agents warned him over a scathing email to the agency’s acting director following a fatal shooting at an anti-ICE protest, alleging 1st Amendment violations. — Patrick Whittle, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

On July 4, as Americans celebrated the nation’s 250th anniversary, the White House published a scathing attack on the Smithsonian Institution, in particular its National Museum of American History, reports the New York Times. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 6 July 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