Synonyms of scathing

scathing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈskā-ṯẖiŋ 

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

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

However, despite the scathing review and his influence with Trump, GOP senators said the billionaire tech mogul would unlikely jeopardize their fate or the changes senators are making. —Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 4 June 2025

France released a scathing assessment of its own culpability. —The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 3 June 2025

In Season 4, the crew faces the aftermath of a scathing Chicago Tribune article. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025

Most felt the series was an entertainingly scathing, darkly funny dissection of the rich and their ridiculous, unhappy lives. —Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025