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Glite Dictionary
🤕 A burn 🔥 Extremely hot 💬 Very harsh
scalding

scalding

4.8
Very harsh and sharply critical, for example in a review
  • adjective
  • /ˈskɔːldɪŋ/
translation icon : desgarrador
  • The journalist wrote a scalding review of the new movie, criticizing nearly every aspect.

Examples

  • The report delivered a scalding assessment of the company's recent performance.

  • The film critic delivered a scalding critique that highlighted the director's poor choices.

  • After his mistake, she gave him a scalding look that made him feel even worse.

  • The teacher gave a scalding review of the student's project.

  • Her scalding remarks left everyone in the room shocked.

  • His scalding comments during the meeting pointed out the flaws in the proposal.

  • The editor's scalding feedback on the article left the author feeling disheartened.

Synonyms

brutal
vsscalding
50 4.1

Very direct and harsh in a way that can hurt people

is sharp and severe but focuses more on biting critique than blunt frankness
harsh
vsscalding
47 3.9

Very strong and unpleasant to the senses, like bright light or bitter taste

is similar in severity but specifically sharp and critical in figurative use
scathing
vsscalding
19 7.7

Very strong, harsh criticism that hurts or shocks people

is very harsh but more general and figurative than direct attack
blistering
vsscalding
5 7.0

Very harsh words or writing that attack someone

is extremely harsh but used more broadly, not only as fierce outburst
searing
vsscalding
  • Offensive
1 7.2

A very harsh remark that tries to hurt someone

is harsh too but emphasizes sharpness generally rather than deep personal harm
stinging
vsscalding
6.3

Harsh or hurtful in a way that makes someone feel upset

is harsher overall and more severe in tone than mere hurtful remarks
sulfurous
vsscalding
  • Formal
7.9

Harsh angry speech or writing that strongly criticizes people

is equally caustic but less explicitly angry and more generally severe

Antonyms

gentle
235 1.0

Kind and not strong in action, sound, or touch

lenient
32 4.4

Not strict about rules and punishment

How Harsh

scalding
4.8
harsh
289 2.8
critical
121 5.2
mild
107 1.0

Surface Forms

scalding positive

Morphology

scalding = scald (semi-transparent) = scald + ing

The adjective is formed from 'scald' + '-ing' but the meaning is metaphorical (harsh criticism) rather than literal burning.

Etymology

The word scalding comes from the old word scald, which means 'to burn with very hot liquid'. People began to use it for words or looks that 'burn' someone, so a scalding remark is a sharply critical, hurtful comment.