scathing

adjective

scath·​ing ˈskā-ṯẖiŋ How to pronounce scathing (audio)
: bitterly severe
a scathing condemnation
scathingly adverb
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her death led to a civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, which released a scathing report in March 2023 that called for several institutional changes in LMPD and city government. Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 8 July 2025 But the elder Samuel's recent scathing comments on the state of the Dolphins franchise could put a damper on the possibility of his son landing in South Florida. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025 In a scathing rant on X (which has since been deleted), Musk criticized the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein records. Meredith Kile, People.com, 8 July 2025 The bill cleared the chamber after several years of controversy at the commission, including the ousting of and subsequent legal battle to reinstate former Chair Shannon O’Brien, a litany of internal conflicts, and a scathing report from the Office of the Inspector General. Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for scathing

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scathing was in 1794

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scathing. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

scathing

adjective
scath·​ing
ˈskā-t͟hiŋ
: painfully harsh
a scathing look
scathingly
-t͟hiŋ-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on scathing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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