SCATHING Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'scathing' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of scathing are acrid , caustic , and mordant . While all these words mean "stingingly incisive," scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity. // a scathing satire

Q: When might 'acrid' be a better fit than 'scathing'?

The synonyms acrid and scathing are sometimes interchangeable, but acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence. // acrid invective

Q: When is it sensible to use 'caustic' instead of 'scathing'?

In some situations, the words caustic and scathing are roughly equivalent. However, caustic suggests a biting wit. // caustic comments

Q: Where would 'mordant' be a reasonable alternative to 'scathing'?

The words mordant and scathing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness. // mordant reviews of the play

scathing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈskā-ṯẖiŋ

Definition of scathing

as in satiric

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scathing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of scathe

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

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How does the adjective scathing contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of scathing are acrid, caustic, and mordant. While all these words mean "stingingly incisive," scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity.

a scathing satire

When might acrid be a better fit than scathing?

The synonyms acrid and scathing are sometimes interchangeable, but acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence.

acrid invective

When is it sensible to use caustic instead of scathing?

In some situations, the words caustic and scathing are roughly equivalent. However, caustic suggests a biting wit.

caustic comments

Where would mordant be a reasonable alternative to scathing?

The words mordant and scathing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

mordant reviews of the play

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 scathing

Adjective

Then came a scathing letter from Sorsby's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, who also threatened to sue the Big 12 conference, on behalf of Texas Tech, if there were any punishments handed down by the conference. — Trey Wallace, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026 After Love Story premiered, Hannah, who was portrayed by Dree Hemingway, penned a scathing essay for The New York Times in March, naming specific aspects of the show that were false. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026

Verb

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 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 See All Example Sentences for scathing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scathing

Adjective

The script for the video was written by Casale and his longtime friend Max Papeschi, an Italian satirical artist.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026
Staff members of the satirical magazine Leman are on trial on charges of inciting hatred over a cartoon published last year that features the Prophet Mohammed and Moses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of satiric

Verb

Electing to keep his No 5 on the field, the Brazil head coach made a subtle tactical tweak that saw Endrick enter the action and brought Matheus Cunha further to the left flank — which unlocked the attacking prowess of Vinicius Junior.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
In patients with type 1 diabetes, the immune system starts attacking the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 July 2026

Definition of attacking

Adjective

This is taken as evidence of his status, not a sarcastic criticism.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
On Monday night, Contreras was ejected in the second inning after a check-swing strikeout prompted him to give a sarcastic ABS challenge gesture at the umpire, earning an instant boot.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of sarcastic

Verb

Prosecutors allege Clay intentionally drove his car onto the sidewalk, sped toward a crowd of pedestrians and hit eight of them before slamming into a gate.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Paul has accused Mortensen in court of stalking and, on one occasion, slamming her head into the dashboard of his truck.

— Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Definition of slamming

Adjective

The fence, as constructed, is more than 8 feet tall and is topped with a strand of barbed wire — too high for many animals to jump and dangerous for those that attempt to do so.

— Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 June 2026
Vines have grown through the fence and barbed wire surrounding a tall art deco building in this city’s downtown, and cigarette holders and empty food tins litter the tall weeds.

— Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, 24 June 2026

Definition of barbed

Adjective

Avocado, tomatillos, a serrano pepper, and lime are mixed together in just five minutes to make a bright and acidic dip that's served best with your favorite tortilla chips.

— Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
It’s absorbed without needing food or a highly acidic environment.

— Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 30 June 2026

Definition of acidic

Verb

Hannah Einbinder brings vulnerability to a project that needs her brand of self-excoriating fearlessness.

— Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
And she’s proven a popular voice on social media, where a recent TikTok video excoriating the Supreme Court decision on voting rights drew more than 19 million views.

— Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 21 May 2026

Definition of excoriating

Browse Nearby Words

scathes

scathing

scatological

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“Scathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scathing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of scathing

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verb

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