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

The firing came a day after Paul K. Martin issued a scathing report saying staff cuts and funding pauses at the agency put more than $489 million in food assistance around the world at risk of spoiling. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

In fact, out of all the players parodied during Trump’s first term in office — from Melissa McCarthy’s Sean Spicer to McKinnon’s Kellyanne Conway — the best impersonation (and most scathing) came from Beck Bennett as Vladimir Putin. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025

Bove, in a scathing letter Thursday, accepted Sassoon’s resignation and transferred Adams’ case to the main DOJ. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025

That Arsenal recently battered the reigning – waning – Premier League champions with a scathing 5-1 scoreline is a far more convincing statistic to support the above reasoning. —Julia Ranney, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025