scathing

[ skey-thing ]

adjective

1. bitterly severe, as a remark:

   a scathing review of the play.

2. harmful, injurious, or searing.

scathing

/ ˈskeɪðɪŋ /

adjective

1. harshly critical; scornful

   a scathing remark

2. damaging; painful

Derived Forms

• ˈscathingly, adverb

Other Words From

• scathing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of scathing¹

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

Example Sentences

Though he did not specify to the Times whether Simon’s gripe was with his scathing 2015 comments, Garfunkel admitted to the Times, “I was a fool.”

From Los Angeles Times

After the talks collapsed on Wednesday night, the chancellor delivered a scathing attack on his finance minister, calling Lindner egotistical and irresponsible for his unwillingness to compromise for the good of the country.

From BBC

“She was the rom-com queen, but I feel like if you read her work, she could be scathing and tough, harsh and critical. But those facets were what made her compelling and alluring to people.”

From Los Angeles Times

The latter drew a flood of scathing reviews of the family’s auto repair shop — “Worst car care Ive been to,” one Yelp reviewer wrote online — in a purposeful left-wing campaign of retribution.

From Los Angeles Times

A little more than two months after Trump took office in 2017, the editorial board published a series of scathing essays under the headline: “Our dishonest president.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• biting
• caustic
• harsh
• mordant
• sarcastic
• scorching
• searing
• trenchant
• withering