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

So great was the scathe done that day that Tristrem and Ganhardin were forced once more to fly to Brittany, where in an adventure Tristrem received an arrow in his old wound.

From Legends & Romances of Brittany by Lewis Spence

How may this insult, scathe, and scorn By me, dear love, be tamely born?

From The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Ralph T. H. (Ralph Thomas Hotchkin) Griffith

This was not done without scathe, however; Brian's men loosed their muskets, and one by one the heavy bastards thundered out across the snow, though the result was hard to see in the darkness.

From Nuala O'Malley by H. Bedford-Jones

True to the law, of fame unstained, The glorious Daśaratha reigned, And, steadfast in his duty, long Kept the four castes550 from scathe and wrong.

From The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Ralph T. H. (Ralph Thomas Hotchkin) Griffith

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

Mr. Katz’s livelier, more conversational prose brings out its subtle and scathing comedy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 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

After a string of negative audits and a scathing court-ordered review, it’s no secret that the Los Angeles homeless services system has flaws.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

The former United skipper is never short of a scathing word, but even by his standards, this was brutal.

From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026

Loud and scathing, Draco Malfoy’s voice echoed around the courtyard.

From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling

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