as in satirical
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in attacking
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
newspaper cartoonists scathed the lecherous governor with a series of cruel caricatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scathing
Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Two chief deputies have quit in scathing resignation letters.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2025
Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scathing
Adjective
Mailata heard the comment, and had a scathing response for Schefter.
—Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Two chief deputies have quit in scathing resignation letters.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
The appeals court decision was, at times, scathing toward the state's arguments in the case.
—Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scathing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scathing
Verb
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The positioning of Palace’s six attacking players inside the penalty area is another one.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Republicans were nearly unanimous about the danger of Democrats attacking ICE.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The article expressed a desire for Kirk to face trivial setbacks, emphasizing satirical intent while including later disclaimers about not wishing physical harm.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The only thing that may be crazier than the actual football life is this satirical comedy-drama that has more to do with a hedonistic existence than play-action passes.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Springer was apoplectic, slamming his bat to the ground before taking out his frustration on his helmet back in the dugout.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
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The bus then hit an SUV, spinning it to the side before slamming into another truck.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Notably absent was Jennette McCurdy, who played Carly's sarcastic sidekick Sam in the original series.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
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Denise – scrappy, sarcastic, and clever – at first was hostile towards Steven, but that passionate annoyance later evolved into teasing, affectionate companionship.—
Sarah John,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Shipp is tasked with scolding her father and delivering leaden exposition.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The pair have traded many barbed comments since Khan was elected to lead London in 2016 — Khan strongly criticized the president the same year for pledging a travel ban on a number of majority-Muslim countries, which was enacted in 2017.—
Patrick Smith,
NBC news,
24 Sep. 2025
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Protests outside the Broadview facility continued midday Friday, with a handful of demonstrators holding up signs and cellphones toward a fence topped with barbed wire, video from the scene shows.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The level of anger was quickly evident in state media broadcasts - which analysts say are often a measure of official Saudi viewpoints - with television news reports personally excoriating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.—
Pesha Magid,
Reuters,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scathing. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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