scathing

/ˈskā-ṯẖiŋ/

adjective

  1. bitterly severe

a scathing condemnation

caustic mordant acrid scathing mean stingingly incisive. caustic suggests a biting wit. mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

verb

  1. to do harm to; specifically : scorch, sear

  2. to assail with withering denunciation