scathing

adjective

scath·​ing ˈskā-ṯẖiŋ 

: bitterly severe

a scathing condemnation

scathingly adverb

Synonyms

• acerb
• acerbic
• acid
• acidic
• acidulous
• acrid
• barbed
• biting
• caustic
• corrosive
• cutting
• mordant
• pungent
• sarcastic
• sardonic
• satiric
• satirical
• scalding
• sharp
• smart-aleck
• smart-alecky
• smart-mouthed
• snarky
• tart

Choose the Right Synonym for scathing

caustic, mordant, acrid, scathing mean stingingly incisive.

caustic suggests a biting wit.

caustic comments

mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

mordant reviews of the play

acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence.

acrid invective

scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity.

a scathing satire

Examples of scathing in a Sentence

a scathing review of the book

a scathing rebuttal of the latest theory concerning the assassination

Recent Examples on the Web

Listen to this article A scathing report from city Comptroller Brad Lander found that ShotSpotter, the NYPD’s highly touted gunfire location system, accurately identifies shootings only about 13% of the time. —Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 20 June 2024

Continue reading … -- POLITICS 'NO REGARD' – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shreds America's top ally, doesn't hold back in scathing late-night message. —Fox News, 19 June 2024

Ahead of the show's season 3 premiere in New York City, Mock made headlines for making a scathing speech about Hollywood. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 18 June 2024

Pelosi put out a scathing statement about former president Donald Trump’s visit Thursday with House and Senate Republicans. —Theodoric Meyer, Washington Post, 14 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

scathing

adjective

scath·​ing

ˈskā-t͟hiŋ

: painfully harsh

a scathing look

scathingly

-t͟hiŋ-lē

adverb