scathing

1 of 2

adjective

scath·​ing ˈskā-ṯẖiŋ How to pronounce scathing (audio)
Synonyms of scathing
: bitterly severe
a scathing condemnation
scathingly adverb

scathing

2 of 2

present participle of scathe entry 2

Synonyms of scathing

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Adjective

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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
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.
Adjective
Glenn Close has given her final verdict on All’s Fair costar Kim Kardashian, after their ensemble legal drama debuted to scathing reviews that, according to a new social media post, still plague the latter. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026 That’s a scathing indictment coming from a guy who was coaching just one level above that a year ago. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026 The United States, which provides billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, has issued a scathing rebuke, perhaps because one of the homeowners is a Palestinian American living in Ohio. — Joseph Krauss, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026 Atlanta Jewish Times Publisher Michael Morris, in a scathing rebuke, sought to dismantle Ossoff’s reasoning. — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scathing

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of scathe entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scathing was in 1865

Rhymes for scathing

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Browse Nearby Words

scatheless
scathing
scatole
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scathing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

scathing

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