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Synonyms

scathing

American  
[skey-thing] / ˈskeɪ ðɪŋ /

adjective

  1. bitterly severe, as a remark.

    a scathing review of the play.

  2. harmful, injurious, or searing.

scathing British  
/ ˈskeɪðɪŋ /

adjective

  1. harshly critical; scornful

    a scathing remark

  2. damaging; painful

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • scathingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of scathing

First recorded in 1785–95; scathe + -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cherki featured in France's friendly win over Colombia during the recent international break, but 1998 World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry provided a scathing assessment of the player and his work-rate.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

On Friday, Judge Boasberg's order was scathing in its criticism of Pirro's office.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

“While he was a very serious, earnest activist, he also had such an acute sense of cynical humor that is so fantastic and was capable of scathing satire,” her brother Devin added.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

After getting a scathing review in 1832, he didn’t publish another volume for 10 years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.