Scathing and Virulent

Scathing

Scathing adjective - Marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings.

Virulent is a synonym for scathing in devastating topic. In some cases you can use "Virulent" instead an adjective "Scathing".

Nearby Words: scathe, scathed, scathingly

Virulent

Virulent adjective - Having or showing a desire to cause someone pain or suffering for the sheer enjoyment of it.
Usage example: the virulent look on her face warned me that she was about to say something unkind

Scathing is a synonym for virulent in hostile topic. You can use "Scathing" instead an adjective "Virulent", if it concerns topics such as vitriolic.

Nearby Word: virulence
Cite this Source
Virulent and Scathing. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/scathing/virulent
Scathing & Virulent. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/scathing/virulent>.
Virulent or Scathing. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/scathing/virulent.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "scathing" and "virulent" have occurred on timeline