scathing
[ skey-th ing ]
/ ˈskeɪ ðɪŋ /
adjective
bitterly severe, as a remark: a scathing review of the play.
harmful, injurious, or searing.
OTHER WORDS FROM scathing
scath·ing·ly, adverbWords nearby scathing
scat singing,
scat-,
scatback,
scatemia,
scathe,
scathing,
scato-,
scatological,
scatology,
scatoma,
scatophagy
Definition for scathing (2 of 2)
scathe
[ skeyth ]
/ skeɪð /
verb (used with object), scathed, scath·ing.
to attack with severe criticism.
to hurt, harm, or injure, as by scorching.
noun
hurt, harm, or injury.
Origin of scathe
before 1000; (noun) Middle English
scath(e),
scade, schath(e) < Old Norse
skathi damage, harm, cognate with Old English
sc(e)atha malefactor, injury (with which the Middle English forms with
sch- might be identified); (v.) Middle English
scath(e),
skath(e) < Old Norse
skatha, cognate with Old English
sceathian
OTHER WORDS FROM scathe
scathe·less, adjective scathe·less·ly, adverbExample sentences from the Web for scathing
Scathing letters are all right, but they should be directed and stamped, then burned just before they are trusted to the mails.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great Philosophers, Volume 8 |Elbert HubbardScathing sentences already took shape in his brain, but deeper investigation would be necessary before he could write anything.
We Two |Edna LyallScathing comments by Franklin on Thomas Penn's meanness, 138.
Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume I (of 2) |Wiliam Cabell BruceScathing as some of the portraits are, the writer is by no means merely cynical.
The Marriage of William Ashe |Mrs. Humphry Ward
British Dictionary definitions for scathing (1 of 2)
scathing
/ (ˈskeɪðɪŋ) /
adjective
harshly critical; scornful
a scathing remark
damaging; painful
Derived forms of scathing
scathingly, adverbBritish Dictionary definitions for scathing (2 of 2)
scathe
/ (skeɪð) /
verb (tr)
rare
to attack with severe criticism
archaic, or dialect
to injure
noun
archaic, or dialect
harm
Derived forms of scathe
scatheless, adjectiveWord Origin for scathe
Old English
sceatha; related to Old Norse
skathi, Old Saxon
scatho