scathe

1 of 2

noun

ˈskāt͟h How to pronounce scathe (audio)
ˈskāth
Synonyms of scathenext
: harm, injury
scatheless
ˈskāt͟h-ləs How to pronounce scathe (audio)
adjective

scathe

2 of 2

verb

ˈskāt͟h How to pronounce scathe (audio)
scathed; scathing

transitive verb

1
: to do harm to
specifically : scorch, sear
2
: to assail with withering denunciation

Synonyms

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of scathe in a Sentence

Verb newspaper cartoonists scathed the lecherous governor with a series of cruel caricatures
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football debates always seem to scathe a few players in the new, with last Monday’s discussions centred around Newcastle forward Dwight Gayle. —SI.com, 13 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English skathe, from Old Norse skathi; akin to Old English sceatha injury, Greek askēthēs unharmed

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scathe was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near scathe

scatback

scathe

scatheful

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Scathe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scathe. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

scathe

1 of 2 noun
ˈskāt͟h How to pronounce scathe (audio)
: harm sense 1, injury
scatheless
-ləs How to pronounce scathe (audio)
adjective

scathe

2 of 2 verb
scathed; scathing
1
: to do harm to : injure
especially : to injure by fire : scorch, sear
2
: to attack with very harsh accusations

More from Merriam-Webster on scathe

Nglish: Translation of scathe for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of scathe for Arabic Speakers

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