scathing

1 of 2

adjective

scath·​ing ˈskā-ṯẖiŋ 

: bitterly severe

a scathing condemnation

scathingly adverb

scathing

2 of 2

present participle of scathe entry 2

Synonyms of scathing

Adjective

• satiric
• sarcastic
• barbed
• acidic

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

Adjective

a scathing review of the book

a scathing rebuttal of the latest theory concerning the assassination

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Reaction to the state’s failure to execute Pike – who was sentenced to death for the January 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer – was swift and scathing. — Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Williams in July referred Brito to the Florida Bar to determine if he should be disciplined in light of her scathing findings after the case was settled. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

Twelve years after the Central Intelligence Agency initially rejected its publication, a scathing book skewers a top-secret spying program. — Zach Dorfman, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2026

Beginning in late 2025, Alfsonso’s had been the subject of three scathing AHCA inspections. — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of scathe entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scathing

• bathing
• lathing
• sunbathing

Kids Definition

scathing

adjective

scath·​ing

ˈskā-t͟hiŋ

: painfully harsh

a scathing look

scathingly

-t͟hiŋ-lē

adverb