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
as in harm
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scathe
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
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
From in-depth local news pieces that got to the heart of our communities’ needs to scathing investigative works holding public officials accountable, the Boston Herald’s coverage sought to encapsulate the most important stories for our readership each and every day.
—Isabelle Friedman, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
At Fendi’s spring-summer 1993 show, Banks sported a blunt cut blonde wig which scathed her black brows.
—Essence, 4 Dec. 2025
Much has been written about the changes, often in scathing online reviews.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
Trump has lashed out at Carlson and other media figures, including Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens and Alex Jones, who have been scathing about the decision to get into the war.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
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
From in-depth local news pieces that got to the heart of our communities’ needs to scathing investigative works holding public officials accountable, the Boston Herald’s coverage sought to encapsulate the most important stories for our readership each and every day.
—Isabelle Friedman, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
At Fendi’s spring-summer 1993 show, Banks sported a blunt cut blonde wig which scathed her black brows.
—Essence, 4 Dec. 2025
Much has been written about the changes, often in scathing online reviews.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scathe
Verb
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In fact, the Sixers will be better equipped to attack this Knicks flaw if Embiid can return at any point in the series.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
In one of the evening’s most striking moments, Raman accused Bass and Pratt of working together to attack her.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
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Doe alleges the school’s failure to act caused long-term emotional and psychological harm that continues today.—
Lexi Nicklaus,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The guidance states that potential harms in this age group, including false positives, psychological distress, overdiagnosis, overtreatment and radiation exposure, may outweigh the uncertain benefits of screening.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Katie Porter scolded, Tom Steyer channeled Bernie.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
The victim said he was singled out for laughing, scolded, and told to continue reading before being ordered into the hallway.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
That was a great lesson for our churn-and-burn generation.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
3 May 2026
-
First responders removed a man who sustained burns to his body.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The world’s second largest economy has been relatively insulated from the historic global oil crisis slamming its neighbors – including key regional US allies – due to China’s huge oil reserves, its high level of energy self-sufficiency and its early shift to green energy.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
-
These shards travel billions of light-years across the universe and slam into Earth’s atmosphere.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Place one-half cup cream in a sauce pot and bring up to a scald.—
Kathryn Gregory,
Louisville Courier Journal,
23 Jan. 2026
-
This tent can double as a heat protector when summer temperatures soar into the 90s and the foliage and bark of many plants, especially tropicals, are susceptible to heat scald.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
21 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Over just four days this month, Milei, an avid user of X, wrote 86 posts taunting and insulting journalists, according to an analysis of his feed between April 2 and 5 by prominent Argentine daily La Nación.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Late at night, the staff are known for insulting anyone brave enough to step up to the counter.—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The legislation is named for the Charlotte 6-year-old found dead in her aunt’s home last year covered in scars and malnourished.—
Mary Ramsey
May 4,
Charlotte Observer,
4 May 2026
-
The pain is much deeper than the scars.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scathe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scathe. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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