scathe

American  

[skeyth] / 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

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

Example Sentences

Leon's scathing opinion said that the decision for the project rested with Congress, which should also decide how it could be funded.

From Barron's

Outsider art in every sense of the word, and laden with scathing political and social commentary, Purifoy’s installations morph and change in the elements.

From Los Angeles Times

The company came under scrutiny in 2024 when short seller Hindenburg Research published a scathing report about the company’s accounting practices.

From The Wall Street Journal

The writer Thomas Mann, “a conservative and a patriot,” chose exile, becoming a scathing critic of those who didn’t do likewise.

From The Wall Street Journal

“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