as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
newspaper cartoonists scathed the lecherous governor with a series of cruel caricatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in harm
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scathe
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
Outsider art in every sense of the word, and laden with scathing political and social commentary, Purifoy’s installations morph and change in the elements.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
But White also mentioned the league’s depth, which will likely scathe even the best teams.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
With tight polls, and without any one candidate being able to boast about the president's endorsement, the three Republicans have tried to boost their candidacies by resorting to scathing personal attacks.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Victoria's son, Brooklyn, called out the pop star and David Beckham in a series of scathing Instagram stories.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
From in-depth local news pieces that got to the heart of our communities’ needs to scathing investigative works holding public officials accountable, the Boston Herald’s coverage sought to encapsulate the most important stories for our readership each and every day.
—Isabelle Friedman, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
At Fendi’s spring-summer 1993 show, Banks sported a blunt cut blonde wig which scathed her black brows.
—Essence, 4 Dec. 2025
Much has been written about the changes, often in scathing online reviews.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
Trump has lashed out at Carlson and other media figures, including Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens and Alex Jones, who have been scathing about the decision to get into the war.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
Outsider art in every sense of the word, and laden with scathing political and social commentary, Purifoy’s installations morph and change in the elements.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
But White also mentioned the league’s depth, which will likely scathe even the best teams.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
With tight polls, and without any one candidate being able to boast about the president's endorsement, the three Republicans have tried to boost their candidacies by resorting to scathing personal attacks.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Victoria's son, Brooklyn, called out the pop star and David Beckham in a series of scathing Instagram stories.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
From in-depth local news pieces that got to the heart of our communities’ needs to scathing investigative works holding public officials accountable, the Boston Herald’s coverage sought to encapsulate the most important stories for our readership each and every day.
—Isabelle Friedman, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
At Fendi’s spring-summer 1993 show, Banks sported a blunt cut blonde wig which scathed her black brows.
—Essence, 4 Dec. 2025
Much has been written about the changes, often in scathing online reviews.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scathe
Verb
-
Democrats have attacked these anti-fraud policies as an effort to undermine safety net programs for the impoverished.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The latest war erupted on March 2, when, after holding its fire since a 2024 truce, Hezbollah launched a surprise barrage of missiles into northern Israel in retaliation for the United States and Israel attacking Iran.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Doe alleges the school’s failure to act caused long-term emotional and psychological harm that continues today.—
Lexi Nicklaus,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The guidance states that potential harms in this age group, including false positives, psychological distress, overdiagnosis, overtreatment and radiation exposure, may outweigh the uncertain benefits of screening.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
McMahon likes to remind scolds that wrestling is a morality play.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Leon scolded Justice Department attorneys for arguing that the entire project needed to go forward for national security reasons, before previously distinguishing between the bunker below ground and the ballroom above ground.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These designs are part of a fuel management program that provides technical methods and codes for the existing nuclear fleet to support higher burn-ups and higher enrichment levels.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The brush fire burn is important because Hayes said some trees are harmful to the prairie.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The ruling was slammed by Democrats across the nation and by the three more liberal justices on the high court, who rejected the conservative majority’s characterization that its decision upheld the Voting Rights Act rather than gutted it.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Washington — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is putting tracking devices in airport vehicles after an Air Canada Express regional jet landing at LaGuardia Airport last month slammed into a fire truck on the runway, killing the plane’s two pilots.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Place one-half cup cream in a sauce pot and bring up to a scald.—
Kathryn Gregory,
Louisville Courier Journal,
23 Jan. 2026
-
This tent can double as a heat protector when summer temperatures soar into the 90s and the foliage and bark of many plants, especially tropicals, are susceptible to heat scald.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
21 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Over just four days this month, Milei, an avid user of X, wrote 86 posts taunting and insulting journalists, according to an analysis of his feed between April 2 and 5 by prominent Argentine daily La Nación.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Late at night, the staff are known for insulting anyone brave enough to step up to the counter.—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dermatologists recommend a vitamin C serum to help reduce hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and overall skin dullness.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Mary, meanwhile, walks away with visible scars, although the real healing was all internal.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scathe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scathe. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
