scathing

UK: /ˈskeɪðɪŋ/ US: /ˈskeɪðɪŋ/ ,(skā′ᵺing)

From the verb scathe: (⇒ conjugate)

scathing is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

scath•ing /ˈskeɪðɪŋ/   adj. 

1. bitterly severe;
   harsh;
   cruel:
   a scathing remark.

scath•ing•ly, adv.: 

a scathingly written attack.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

scath•ing  (skā′ᵺing), adj. 

1. bitterly severe, as a remark:
   a scathing review of the play.
2. harmful, injurious, or searing.

• scathe + -ing² 1785–95

scath′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

scathing / ˈskeɪðɪŋ/ adjective

1. harshly critical; scornful
2. damaging; painful

ˈscathingly adverb

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

scathe  (skāᵺ), v., scathed, scath•ing, n. 
v.t. 

1. to attack with severe criticism.
2. to hurt, harm, or injure, as by scorching.

n. 

3. hurt, harm, or injury.

• Old Norse skatha, cognate with Old English sceathian
• 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); (verb, verbal) Middle English scath(e), skath(e)
• (noun, nominal) Middle English scath(e), scade, schath(e) bef. 1000

scathe′less, adj. 
scathe′less•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

scathe / skeɪð/, scath / skæθ/ verb (transitive)

1. to attack with severe criticism
2. to injure

noun

1. harm

Etymology: Old English sceatha; related to Old Norse skathi, Old Saxon scatho