scathing

scathing

adj

Definition of SCATHING

: bitterly severe <a scathing condemnation>

— scathingly adverb

Examples of SCATHING

1. a scathing review of the book
2. <a scathing rebuttal of the latest theory concerning the assassination>

First Known Use of SCATHING

1794

Related to SCATHING

Synonyms: acerb, acerbic, acid, acidic, acidulous, acrid, barbed, biting, caustic, corrosive, cutting, mordant, pungent, sardonic, satiric (or satirical), scalding, sarcastic, sharp, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, smart-mouthed, snarky, tart

Related Words: brisk, cross, sharp-tongued, sour, sourish, spiky (also spikey), tartish; incisive, keen, poignant, trenchant; cynical, dry, ironic (also ironical), wry; facetious, flippant, tongue-in-cheek; acrimonious, bitter, resentful, vitriolic; harsh, rough, severe, stringent; abrupt, blunt, brusque (also brusk), concise, crisp, curt, gruff, pithy, snippety, snippy, succinct, terse; backhanded, insincere

Near Antonyms: amusing, droll, merry, playful, sportive, waggish; gentle, mild; bland; good-humored, good-natured; diplomatic, polite, smooth, suave, urbane; affable, cordial, genial, gracious, hospitable, sociable

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