Scathing
Scathing adjective - Marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings.
Usage example: a scathing rebuttal of the latest theory concerning the assassination
Tongue-in-cheek and scathing are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Tongue-in-cheek" instead an adjective "Scathing".
Tongue-in-cheek
Tongue-in-cheek adjective - Cleverly amusing in tone.
Scathing and tongue-in-cheek are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Scathing" instead an adjective phrase "Tongue-in-cheek".
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- rude and scathing
- rude and tongue-in-cheek
- contemptuous and scathing
- contemptuous and tongue-in-cheek
- sarcastic and scathing
- sarcastic and tongue-in-cheek
- derisive and scathing
- derisive and tongue-in-cheek
- sharp and scathing
- sharp and tongue-in-cheek
- dry and scathing
- dry and tongue-in-cheek
- sardonic and scathing
- sardonic and tongue-in-cheek
Both words in one sentence
- In Episode 48 of The Scathing Atheist, the hosts talked about an Adventist Pastor named Ryan Bell, who decided to "Try Atheism for a Year", with them being Tongue-in-cheek about his sincerity.
Source: Hilarious In Hindsight / Other
Cite this Source
Tongue-in-cheek and Scathing. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 28, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/scathing/tongue-in-cheek
Scathing & Tongue-in-cheek. N.p., 2016. Web. 28 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/scathing/tongue-in-cheek>.
Tongue-in-cheek or Scathing. 2016. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/scathing/tongue-in-cheek.