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

On Wednesday, the 20-year-old son of David and Victoria Beckham took to social media to send a seemingly subtle dig after his older brother, Brooklyn, made scathing claims about their parents. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026

There’s great scenery chomping from Isabella Rossellini, whose operatic performance as The Corporation’s trophy wife turned scathing critic reveals a perspective on beauty and its discontents accessible only to those who’ve possessed, then transcended it. —Judy Berman, Time, 21 Jan. 2026

Amid his scathing diatribe addressing rumors of a Beckham family feud, Brooklyn Beckham is setting the record straight about the issue starting over wedding dress drama. —Pamela Avila, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026

The chef and model wrote multiple scathing posts detailing what went down with his parents, David and Victoria. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 20 Jan. 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