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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in attacking
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
newspaper cartoonists scathed the lecherous governor with a series of cruel caricatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scathing
Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
Other managers, however, are scathing about Kinahan, accusing him of using illicit wealth to poach fighters.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
The appeals court decision was, at times, scathing toward the state's arguments in the case.
—Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scathing
Adjective
One of those fans is a TikTok user named Meg, whose scathing review of Sombr’s show at the The Anthem in Washington, DC has lit up the comment section and prompted a response from the singer.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
Other managers, however, are scathing about Kinahan, accusing him of using illicit wealth to poach fighters.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
Russian reaction Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week that Moscow’s leadership was waiting to see the specifics of any deal to supply Tomahawks, but was scathing about the prospect.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
The appeals court decision was, at times, scathing toward the state's arguments in the case.
—Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scathing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scathing
Verb
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The role of the double pivot is to protect the centre-backs and provide the defensive foundation when the team is attacking.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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The Real Housewives of New York City star was arrested in December 2017 after reportedly attacking a police officer in Palm Beach, Florida — nearly one year after she wed now-ex Tom D'Agostino.—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The satirical newscast’s correspondents have been taking turns filling in the rest of the week.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
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Court records show that SpaceX, the rocket company founded in 2002 by billionaire Elon Musk, has settled a lawsuit filed in 2024 by Cards Against Humanity, the maker of the popular satirical party game of the same name.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Back in 1961, residents of Capitola woke up to find that hordes of black seabirds were slamming into cars, windows and people's homes and dying.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Ford said earlier that his province was spending $75 million to run ads in the United States slamming the impact of tariffs and featuring clips of Reagan.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Justine Lupe plays Joanne’s sarcastic best friend, sister, sometimes-advisor and podcast co-host Morgan Williams.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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As a model named Carl, stuck in a relationship corrupted by microcelebrity and Instagram view counts, Dickinson ticks with exasperation and sarcastic logic, his jaw clenched, his eyes wide and staring.—
Carrie Battan,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Like an impatient parent scolding their toddler, Frankenstein grows frustrated with his monster’s limited capacity for speech.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
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Rodgers stayed down for a moment before getting to his feet and giving a quick two-handed push to Jones’ chest while scolding him.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The actress is clearly relishing the opportunity to deliver Aaron Sorkin’s barbed dialogue (though perhaps not as much as Philip Seymour Hoffman, who steals the show as an explosive CIA functionary).—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
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Watch this just for all the quick lands and barbed moments here alone.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Lynx lost that game, and then, with Collier in a boot on the bench and her coach suspended for excoriating the referees in her defense, came up short in the decisive Game Four, too.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
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There’s no question Newsom — who had spent months excoriating refiners for gouging consumers on gasoline prices, even calling a special legislative session to impose new regulations — changed his tune after two refineries announced plans to shut down.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scathing. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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