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

These are the most scathing book reviews of 2025. —Literary Hub, 20 Dec. 2025

More than a hundred years before the French Revolution, his riotous, scathing satires dared to speak truth to some of the most absolute power in the world. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025

Fighting Irish athletic director Pete Bevacqua went on a scathing rant against the playoff committee and ultimately the ACC immediately after the committee's decision. —Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

In a scathing Instagram post Thursday, the Australian musician, whose real name is Johanna Rose Hodge, posted a video featuring photos and clips of the former couple. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Dec. 2025

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