scathe 1 of 2

verb

ˈskāt͟h How to pronounce scathe (audio)
Definition of scathenext
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly newspaper cartoonists scathed the lecherous governor with a series of cruel caricatures

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scathe

2 of 2

noun

as in harm

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scathe
Verb
Outsider art in every sense of the word, and laden with scathing political and social commentary, Purifoy’s installations morph and change in the elements. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026 But White also mentioned the league’s depth, which will likely scathe even the best teams. — Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026 With tight polls, and without any one candidate being able to boast about the president's endorsement, the three Republicans have tried to boost their candidacies by resorting to scathing personal attacks. — Emily Chang, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026 Victoria's son, Brooklyn, called out the pop star and David Beckham in a series of scathing Instagram stories. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scathe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scathe
  1. attack
  2. harm
  3. scold
  4. burn
  5. slam
  6. scald
  7. insult
  8. scar
Verb
  • Protesters, many of whom have been seen carrying Palestinian flags, have set fire to historic buildings and attacked civilians.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Electrons can then leak out of the chain, bonding with oxygen in the wrong parts of the mitochondria to form highly reactive free radicals that attack and deform neighboring molecules.
    — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Social media giant Meta was hit with a class action lawsuit in Australia on behalf of children and teenagers who allegedly suffered harm over the addictive design features and exposure to harmful content on its platforms Facebook and Instagram.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Ryan McMonigle, a spokesman for Kansas City’s public works department, told The Star that LAZ Parking, or Park KC staff more generally, issue tickets for reasons including social harm, unpaid parking and license plate violations.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of harm
Verb
  • But leaders seeking to encourage tourism scolded residents who warned of the danger on social media.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • From behind a tree, Neil and Florence observed Brenda scolding little Neil.
    — S. M. Reznik, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of scold
Noun
  • After deploying its payloads, Zhuque’s upper stage performed a burn to slow its velocity and drop out of orbit.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
  • After first-stage separation, the upper stage will perform the burns needed to send MMX toward Mars.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • The familyâs legal team filed complaints targeting Iranian officials who bankrolled Hamas, slamming the ICC for double standards and demanding arrest warrants for the regime bosses backing the atrocity.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • On June 24, Matis blew through a stop sign and slammed into a home on the 2900 block of Southwest 57th Avenue, where Bezy was sleeping.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of slam
Noun
  • Alcohol flows, rivalries scald, and humiliations pile up—a few prove transformative, while the rest are swallowed like medicine.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • If a peace lily’s leaves turn brown, this may be sun scald due to too much sun.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of scald
Verb
  • Respect for people, respect for property, and therefore a commitment not to insult or destroy.
    — Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Morgan is insulted, and the scene takes a turn for the cliché.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of insult
Noun
  • Like other firs, the needlelike leaves of the oyamel fir grow directly from the branch, and the needles’ bases, which are shaped like suction cups, leave conspicuous circular scars when the leaves fall.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • More rain is expected across the Southland on Thursday, which could bring debris flows to local burn scars, the weather service said.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of scar

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scathe
scathed
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Cite this Entry

“Scathe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scathe. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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