'Scathing' definitions:
Definition of 'scathing'
From: WordNet
adjective
Marked by harshly abusive criticism; "his scathing remarks about silly lady novelists"; "her vituperative railing" [syn: scathing, vituperative]
Definition of 'Scathing'
From: GCIDE
- Scathe \Scathe\ (sk[=a][th]; 277), Scath \Scath\ (sk[a^]th; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scathed (sk[=a][th]d or sk[a^]tht); p. pr. & vb. n. Scathing (sk[=a][th]"[i^]ng or sk[a^]th"-).] [Icel. ska[eth]a; akin to AS. scea[eth]an, sce[eth][eth]an, Dan. skade, Sw. skada, D. & G. schaden, OHG. scad[=o]n, Goth. ska[thorn]jan.] To do harm to; to injure; to damage; to waste; to destroy. [1913 Webster]
- As when heaven's fire Hath scathed the forest oaks or mountain pines. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- Strokes of calamity that scathe and scorch the soul. --W. Irving. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'scathing'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- acerb,
- acerbate,
- acerbic,
- acid,
- acidic,
- acidulent,
- acidulous,
- acrid,
- acrimonious,
- astringent,
- biting,
- bitter,
- brutal,
- burning,
- caustic,
- corroding,
- corrosive,
- cutting,
- damaging,
- double-edged,
- edged,
- escharotic,
- ferocious,
- fierce,
- harmful,
- harsh,
- incisive,
- keen,
- mordacious,
- mordant,
- nasty,
- penetrating,
- piercing,
- poignant,
- rigorous,
- rough,
- salty,
- savage,
- scorching,
- searing,
- severe,
- sharp,
- stabbing,
- stern,
- stinging,
- strident,
- stringent,
- tart,
- trenchant,
- vehement,
- violent,
- virulent,
- vitriolic,
- withering