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 Judge's scathing dissent: 'Disturbing trend' New York’s state Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein’s rape conviction in a 4-3 decision, The Associated Press reported. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024 The House Ethics Committee released a scathing report last year that found substantial evidence Santos misused campaign funds for his own personal benefit, including spending donations on OnlyFans, Sephora and other luxury purchases. Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024 While Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s battle has been the main event, Chris Brown and Quavo’s scathing war of words has been a deserving undercard fight. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 23 Apr. 2024 But any conclusion that went against it would have to climb mountains, and the reviews would be scathing. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024 The melodies get under your skin, the lyrics sear, the diss tracks are scathing, and the ballads will break your heart. Zara Hanawalt, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024 Now a scathing official report, released this month by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), has outlined a pattern of failure, delays and negligence in the government response that the Commission says could have contributed significantly to the awful scale of the tragedy. David McKenzie, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024 The announcement comes after a special grand jury issued a scathing report Wednesday that found glaring security lapses that led to the shooting and recommended a criminal investigation of a high-ranking Newport News School District official over the missing evidence. Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024 The issue came to light earlier this year, after microbiologist and volunteer science sleuth Sholto David posted a scathing post on his blog. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scathing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scathing was in 1794

Dictionary Entries Near scathing

Cite this Entry

“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scathing. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.

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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