scathing

Adjective
Synonyms: vituperative

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (1)

  1. marked by harshly abusive criticism“his scathing remarks about silly lady novelists”“her vituperative railing”Synonyms: vituperative
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Webster's Dictionary (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]

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