Synonyms for scathing
- adjective
Most common
Definitions
- adj. 1
Harshly or bitterly critical; vitriolic.
Related words
- Word family
- scathingly
Example sentences
- caustic Our English teacher likes to make caustic comments.
- searing The critic wrote a searing review of the book.
- acerbic Tom has a way of making acerbic comments that can sting.
- noxious The old warehouse is no longer storing any noxious chemicals.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| scathing | rising | |
| caustic | falling | |
| searing | rising | |
| acerbic | rising | |
| vituperative | steady | |
| noxious | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 6 letters
- biting2
- 7 letters
- caustic2, searing2, noxious2, acerbic3
- 12 letters
- vituperative5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (biting2 = 2 syllables).