scathe

American  

[skayth] / skeɪð /

verb (used with object)

scathed, scathing

1. to attack with severe criticism.

2. to hurt, harm, or injure, as by scorching.

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noun

1. hurt, harm, or injury.

scathe British  

/ skeɪð /

verb

1. rare to attack with severe criticism

2. archaic to injure

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noun

1. archaic harm

Other Word Forms

• scatheless
  adjective
• scathelessly
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of scathe

before 1000; (noun) Middle English scath ( e ), scade, schath ( e ) < Old Norse skathi damage, harm, cognate with Old English sc ( e ) atha malefactor, injury (with which the Middle English forms with sch- might be identified); (v.) Middle English scath ( e ), skath ( e ) < Old Norse skatha, cognate with Old English sceathian

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Explanation

To scathe is to obliterate something as if you'd burned it to ashes — or to direct ferocious, fiery disapproval or anger in the direction of a person. The verb scathe is pretty old-fashioned; these days you're more likely to encounter the adjectives scathing and unscathed. The word derives from a root meaning "to harm or injure," and it was once used in both a literal and figurative way. Long ago, you might have scathed your old love letters by burning them in the fireplace, and then scathed your sister by telling her to get lost when she asked what you were doing.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

scathe scathed scathing

I suggest an ibid of historians, a ponder of scientists, a scathe of bureaucrats.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thou shalt swear me an oath!" said Robin, "On my bright brand, Thou shalt never await me scathe!

From Fifteenth Century Prose and Verse by Various

Judah had no doubt pledged himself to bring the lad back without scathe to his father, but he had done so without contemplating the possibility of Benjamin becoming amenable to Egyptian law.

From The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Genesis by Marcus Dods

But must not the nature and the disposition suffer from the depression, and will the moral vigour take no scathe?

From John Ronge: The Holy Coat Of Treves New German-Catholic Chruch by Anonymous

Nor scathe had he, nor harm, nor dread, But, the same couch beneath, Lay a gaunt wolf, all torn and dead, Tremendous still in death.

From Children's Literature A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training Classes by Erle Elsworth Clippinger

Trilith Studios, one of the largest production facilities in North America, has been scathed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 23, 2026

"In the race to the bottom, France and Germany are leading the way in the September PMIs. Meanwhile, Spain and Italy are pulling through somewhat less scathed."

From Reuters ● Oct. 2, 2023

Exiting from the pandemic, the assumption might be that Noel’s students should be among the least scathed.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 9, 2023

Try as they might, the Scoops Troop, superhero El, Jim “The Hero of Hawkins” Hopper, and the rest of the gang come out scathed — very, very scathed.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 2, 2022

I was in my own room as usual—just myself, without obvious change: nothing had smitten me, or scathed me, or maimed me.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Helplessness melts into righteous rage as you type some scathing retort, as loneliness gives way to the metallic taste of parasocial satisfaction as the likes and reposts flood in.

From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2026

In a scathing resignation letter, he specifically emphasised his belief in the importance of reaching a 3% target by 2030.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

Worryingly for European governments, though, Schmidt is scathing on their prospects and how far behind the U.S. and China they have fallen.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026

District Judge Beryl A. Howell of Washington issued a scathing ruling that required the Trump administration to vacate the building.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

I’d have scathing in my voice; I felt it.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

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