as in satirical
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
a scathing rebuttal of the latest theory concerning the assassination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in attacking
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
newspaper cartoonists scathed the lecherous governor with a series of cruel caricatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scathing
Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Her death led to a civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, which released a scathing report in March 2023 that called for several institutional changes in LMPD and city government.
—Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 8 July 2025
But the elder Samuel's recent scathing comments on the state of the Dolphins franchise could put a damper on the possibility of his son landing in South Florida.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
In a scathing rant on X (which has since been deleted), Musk criticized the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein records.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scathing
Adjective
Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor, launched a scathing attack on a federal judge's ruling Wednesday that President Donald Trump's suspension of asylum access at the southwest border was unlawful.
—Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Her death led to a civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, which released a scathing report in March 2023 that called for several institutional changes in LMPD and city government.
—Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 8 July 2025
But the elder Samuel's recent scathing comments on the state of the Dolphins franchise could put a damper on the possibility of his son landing in South Florida.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
In a scathing rant on X (which has since been deleted), Musk criticized the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein records.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for scathing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scathing
Verb
-
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities recently launched a campaign attacking the governor for allowing the state’s overreliance on property taxes to worsen and for seeking to slash summer work programs that assist the state’s troubled youths.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2025
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The early glimpses show a player with real potential in the attacking third, capable of thriving in transition and striking well at goal.—
Patrick Boyland,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The poem is part love quest, part account of Italy’s battles; in places profoundly serious, in places satiric.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
-
Neither damning nor satiric, W. is oddly wistful, almost regretful — rare sentiments in a Stone film.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Hundreds of drones being used as part of a Saturday night aerial light show in Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando appeared to be flying into position before several started falling from the sky before slamming to the ground, according to videos posted online.—
Louis Casiano,
Fox News,
23 Dec. 2024
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His endorsement of the AfD came alongside a video of a far-right German commentator slamming the leading candidate to become Germany’s next chancellor, the conservative Friedrich Merz.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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And as trade speculation has risen, Harris reported a sarcastic one-word retort from the pitcher.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 July 2025
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Their dynamic is not entirely unlike that of the upstart Nomi and established Cristal in Showgirls or the sarcastic Devon and beatific Michaela in Sirens: On one hand, Sophie wants to be as confident and self-possessed as Margo, as comfortable in her own skin and her desires.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Investigators learned that Zeng, during his alleged escape, threw clothing over a fence and climbed through barbed wire, Podgorski said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
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This is the culmination of storylines, careers and blood feuds wrapped in a Lone Star barbed wire bow.—
Jenny Catlin,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scathing. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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