as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
newspaper cartoonists scathed the lecherous governor with a series of cruel caricatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in harm
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scathe
Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
With tight polls, and without any one candidate being able to boast about the president's endorsement, the three Republicans have tried to boost their candidacies by resorting to scathing personal attacks.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Victoria's son, Brooklyn, called out the pop star and David Beckham in a series of scathing Instagram stories.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
From in-depth local news pieces that got to the heart of our communities’ needs to scathing investigative works holding public officials accountable, the Boston Herald’s coverage sought to encapsulate the most important stories for our readership each and every day.
—Isabelle Friedman, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
At Fendi’s spring-summer 1993 show, Banks sported a blunt cut blonde wig which scathed her black brows.
—Essence, 4 Dec. 2025
Much has been written about the changes, often in scathing online reviews.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025
Russian reaction Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week that Moscow’s leadership was waiting to see the specifics of any deal to supply Tomahawks, but was scathing about the prospect.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
The appeals court decision was, at times, scathing toward the state's arguments in the case.
—Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
But White also mentioned the league’s depth, which will likely scathe even the best teams.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
With tight polls, and without any one candidate being able to boast about the president's endorsement, the three Republicans have tried to boost their candidacies by resorting to scathing personal attacks.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Victoria's son, Brooklyn, called out the pop star and David Beckham in a series of scathing Instagram stories.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
From in-depth local news pieces that got to the heart of our communities’ needs to scathing investigative works holding public officials accountable, the Boston Herald’s coverage sought to encapsulate the most important stories for our readership each and every day.
—Isabelle Friedman, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
At Fendi’s spring-summer 1993 show, Banks sported a blunt cut blonde wig which scathed her black brows.
—Essence, 4 Dec. 2025
Much has been written about the changes, often in scathing online reviews.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025
Russian reaction Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week that Moscow’s leadership was waiting to see the specifics of any deal to supply Tomahawks, but was scathing about the prospect.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
The appeals court decision was, at times, scathing toward the state's arguments in the case.
—Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scathe
Verb
-
On Thursday, Iran’s new Supreme Leader said that his country would keep closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane through which about a fifth of the world’s oil flows, and more vessels in the Persian Gulf were attacked, including two oil tankers that were set ablaze off the coast of Iraq.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Iran attacked two oil tankers off the coast of Iraq overnight, setting them ablaze.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In his Monday order, Simon limited federal agents from using chemical or projectile munitions such as pepper balls and tear gas unless someone poses an imminent threat of physical harm.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The agency has warned that there is a one-in-4,200 risk of harm to people as a result of potential debris.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There was no one to scold me for lapping up the mixture like a cat to milk.—
Via Chronicle Books,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
-
At one point her mother, Ri Sol Ju, appears to gently scold her for some transgression as Kim watches with a broad smile.—
Jen Kwon,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Air space closures have required rerouting flights around parts of the Middle East, which can mean longer routes, additional fuel burn and higher operating costs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
His attorneys argued the car’s hood was too hot to sit on, based on testimony from other officers, and her body didn’t show evidence of burns.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But a final autopsy report determined there was no link between the fight — during which Mejia appeared to slam her head into a wall — and her death.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The collision sent the fire truck careening into an Access-a-Ride bus, which in turn slammed into a Lexus SUV, police said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Place one-half cup cream in a sauce pot and bring up to a scald.—
Kathryn Gregory,
Louisville Courier Journal,
23 Jan. 2026
-
This tent can double as a heat protector when summer temperatures soar into the 90s and the foliage and bark of many plants, especially tropicals, are susceptible to heat scald.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
21 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Giving these rewards is logistically difficult, expensive for the teacher, and insulting for the kid.—
Scott Ervin,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
-
She was detained in September and charged with posting propaganda critical of the Islamic Republic on social media and insulting its Supreme Leader and Islam, according to her son Reza Zarrabi, a political activist who lives in Germany.—
Philip Marcelo,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But surgeons say the net doesn’t cause scars or permanent discoloration.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Just as often, though, survivors manifest no burns, bruises, or scars.—
Jacob Stern,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scathe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scathe. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
