Synonyms of scathing

scathing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈskā-ṯẖiŋ 

as in satiric

marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings

a scathing rebuttal of the latest theory concerning the assassination

Synonyms & Similar Words

• satiric
• sarcastic
• barbed
• acidic
• acid
• biting
• caustic
• sardonic
• acerbic
• pungent
• corrosive
• acrid
• ironic
• mordant
• cynical
• snarky
• sharp
• cutting
• harsh
• tart
• acidulous
• scalding
• concise
• blunt
• trenchant
• incisive
• smart-alecky
• poignant
• smart-aleck
• wry
• smart-mouthed
• sour
• acerb
• brisk
• flippant
• severe
• spiky
• dry
• vitriolic
• cross
• pithy
• curt
• terse
• succinct
• facetious
• gruff
• stringent
• keen
• bitter
• abrupt
• tongue-in-cheek
• acrimonious
• sharp-tongued
• brusque
• resentful
• backhanded
• snippy
• sourish
• crisp
• insincere
• rough
• tartish
• snippety

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amusing
• playful
• mild
• merry
• gentle
• droll
• bland
• waggish
• diplomatic
• polite
• sportive
• smooth
• gracious
• good-natured
• urbane
• cordial
• hospitable
• good-humored
• genial
• affable
• suave
• sociable

scathing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of scathe

as in attacking

to criticize harshly and usually publicly

newspaper cartoonists scathed the lecherous governor with a series of cruel caricatures

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attacking
• slamming
• scolding
• excoriating
• criticizing
• insulting
• blasting
• abusing
• savaging
• assailing
• lambasting
• castigating
• jumping (on)
• bashing
• cursing
• tying into
• trashing
• vituperating
• harassing
• belaboring
• sailing into
• berating
• disparaging
• reviling
• reprimanding
• potshotting
• haranguing
• harrying
• belittling
• blaspheming
• beating up on
• affronting
• chiding
• execrating
• lighting into
• whipping
• slandering
• slurring
• fulminating
• chastising
• vilifying
• imprecating
• profaning
• libeling
• rebuking
• traducing
• bad-mouthing
• lashing (out)
• aspersing
• lacing (into)
• blackguarding
• putting down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praising
• commending
• complimenting
• hailing
• lauding
• acclaiming

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective scathing contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of scathing are acrid, caustic, and mordant. While all these words mean "stingingly incisive," scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity.

a scathing satire

When might acrid be a better fit than scathing?

The synonyms acrid and scathing are sometimes interchangeable, but acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence.

acrid invective

When is it sensible to use caustic instead of scathing?

In some situations, the words caustic and scathing are roughly equivalent. However, caustic suggests a biting wit.

caustic comments

Where would mordant be a reasonable alternative to scathing?

The words mordant and scathing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

mordant reviews of the play

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scathing

Adjective

The scathing reflection on McConnell’s career was written by columnist Joseph Gerth, who has covered Kentucky politics at Louisville’s The Courier Journal since 1988 — three years into the Louisville native’s first of seven Senate terms. — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

The blog report prompted the lawyer for five women who have accused Rupnik to write a scathing critique of the Vatican’s in-house canonical system, in which victims have no right to information about the investigation. — ABC News, 22 July 2026

Verb

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