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
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
Literary Hub, 20 Dec. 2025
Fighting Irish athletic director Pete Bevacqua went on a scathing rant against the playoff committee and ultimately the ACC immediately after the committee's decision.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Isabelle Friedman, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Much has been written about the changes, often in scathing online reviews.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scathing
Adjective
These are the most scathing book reviews of 2025.
—Literary Hub, 20 Dec. 2025
Fighting Irish athletic director Pete Bevacqua went on a scathing rant against the playoff committee and ultimately the ACC immediately after the committee's decision.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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
Much has been written about the changes, often in scathing online reviews.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scathing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scathing
Adjective
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But it’s set apart from the rest of her work by a long, satirical section sending up gothic fiction and its fans.—
Erin Somers,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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But the tone is often more satiric than somber, Park highlighting Man-su’s foibles and insecurities.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The demonstrations intensified after a federal officer shot a Venezuelan man accused of fleeing a traffic stop and attacking an agent, federal officials said.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
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After officers reached the person, two other people arrived from a nearby apartment and all three started attacking the officer, according to DHS.—
Steve Karnowski,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Past statements or e-mails can be taken out of context, with dangerous results, so carefully phrase your statements in board meetings or in e-mails, — and avoid intemperate or sarcastic remarks.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
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It was greeted by the sound of loud, sarcastic cheering by the old London Road end and by Malcolm Shotton, Oxford’s moustachioed coach, who could have used the Pringles logo as a passport photo, throwing his jacket into the crowd in sarcastic celebration.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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He was placed in concussion protocol Monday night after slamming his head against the turf in the team's win over the Steelers.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
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Brown said, noting that the officer slung his rifle around his back before grabbing and body-slamming the protester.—
Nicole Foy,
ProPublica,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Half of my drawing was in black and white, showing a woman walking away from barbed wire and a prison tower.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
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Who knew barbed wire could be so interesting?—
Pam LeBlanc,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But more recently, groups of citizens have grown tired of scolding and have begun reaching for the birch rod.—
Nick Bowlin,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
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But acknowledging, or god forbid, scolding the internet for laughing at Kirk would only give it all more power.—
Ryan Broderick,
Rolling Stone,
24 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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How to Clean Baking Sheets With Vinegar Vinegar is an acidic ingredient that can cut through grease and lift stains.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
11 Jan. 2026
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The acidic properties of this inexpensive, nontoxic, and eco-friendly household cleaner help to break down grease, loosen dried-on food, and neutralize funky odors.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The beat resumed, the volume its usual excoriating self, Shields’ guitar reprogrammed to give a hint of body-moving swing.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
28 Nov. 2025
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Prescott’s excoriating memo was the catalyst for the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
24 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scathing. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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