What does scathed mean?
Scathed means severely damaged or adversely affected, and it is often used to suggest that the harm has been serious, extensive, or conspicuous. In physical contexts, it may describe a person, place, or object overwhelmed by fire, violence, weather, or another destructive force: “The town was scathed by the explosion.” The adjective is also commonly used figuratively, especially for damage to a reputation, career, or chances: “The controversy scathed his political career.” Scathed is literary and emphatic, generally stronger and more dramatic than “damaged,” though less absolute than “destroyed.” Its opposite, “unscathed,” is especially familiar and suggests that someone or something has escaped harm entirely. The word is recognized in both British and American English, although formal or literary usage is more characteristic than casual speech.
adjectiveSeverely damaged or affected by harm. It can describe physical destruction or figurative damage to a reputation, career, or prospects.
- Severely damaged, injured, or adversely affected.
"The building was scathed by years of neglect and severe weather."
"The old lighthouse was badly scathed by a powerful storm."
"The accusation scathed her reputation throughout the political community."
Scathed descends from an old Germanic word for injury, giving this vivid adjective a sense of harm that is both physical and figurative.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scathed come from?
Scathed is the past-participle and adjective form of scathe. The underlying verb comes from Middle English scathen, developed from Old English sceaþan, an inherited Germanic word meaning to injure or harm. It belongs to a family of Germanic words for damage that also appears in forms such as German Schaden and Dutch schade.
Related word forms
How scathed is actually used
The word is literary and emphatic, conveying more serious or conspicuous harm than the ordinary word “damaged.” It is especially common in passive constructions such as “scathed by,” and it can be used figuratively for damage to reputations, careers, or prospects.
Easily confused with scathed
“Scathed” means severely damaged or affected, whereas “scarred” specifically refers to a mark or pattern left on the skin or surface after damage.