a scathing rebuke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a scathing rebuke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a harsh or severe criticism directed at someone or something. Example: "The politician received a scathing rebuke from the media for his controversial remarks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

What if Ms. Merkin had written a scathing rebuke of her brother?

The New York Times

Four months later, investigators published a scathing rebuke, saying residents' constitutional rights had been violated, and threatened legal action if Texas did not resolve the problems.

The New York Times

In a 1980 performance video, "Free, White and 21," Ms. Pindell wore whiteface to deliver a scathing rebuke of art-world racism.

The New York Times - Arts

Take, as just one, the ditching in 2006 of MasterCard, FIFA's long-term credit-card partner, for Visa a decision which drew a scathing rebuke from a New York judge.

The Economist

But much of the frustration of two years ago has cooled, and the vote on Tuesday, overshadowed by a contest for governor and make-or-break Congressional races, seemed more an act of quiet rebellion than a scathing rebuke.

The New York Times

Justice Ginsburg's wee-hours dissent drew on the district court's ruling to issue a scathing rebuke to the Fifth Circuit and, by implication, to the six justices who refused to lift the Fifth Circuit's stay.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

That's a pretty scathing rebuke.

Huffington Post

Then yesterday we got this in the TechCrunch Tip jar: A reasonably-articulated, scathing rebuke of why a local restauranteur named Mark Pastore doesn't use OpenTable, and how he thinks the service's success has robbed restaurants of their most valuable asset, the relationship with diners, and charged way too much for the privilege.

TechCrunch

Maureen Dowd's scathing rebuke of Rome's inability to take a strong moral stand on the evil of priestly abuse of parishioners' children raises a question: If only priests who are "notorious" or "serial" pederasts are to be sanctioned, is not compulsory celibacy obviated?

The New York Times

"RSA Animate - First as Tragedy, Then as Farce" utilizes Slavoj Zizek's scathing rebuke of charity, displaying that consumer capitalism now encompasses its opposite within itself in an attempt to be mildly ethical; consumers can "buy their redemption from being a consumer" in the same act of making a purchase thanks to such things as "organic" labels.

Huffington Post

Sociologist Alice Goffman delivered perhaps the biggest mic-drop of the week, in her unequivocal, scathing rebuke of police who disproportionately target black teenagers, and the white people who enable them: "Maybe you're saying, 'They're committing crimes!

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a scathing rebuke," ensure that the context clearly indicates who is delivering the criticism and who or what is being criticized for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a scathing rebuke" when the source of the criticism is unclear or lacks authority. Ensure the rebuke originates from a credible source to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a scathing rebuke" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., 'received', 'issued', 'delivered'). It describes the act of severely criticizing someone or something. As Ludwig AI explains, it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a scathing rebuke" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe strong criticism, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. It is suitable for formal or professional settings. When employing this phrase, ensure the criticism is both impactful and originates from a credible source. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "a harsh reprimand" or "a blistering condemnation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a harsh reprimand

Focuses more on the disciplinary aspect of the criticism.

a blistering condemnation

Emphasizes the severity and moral outrage behind the criticism.

a severe criticism

A more general term indicating strong disapproval.

a sharp censure

Highlights the formal disapproval from an authority.

a stinging indictment

Suggests a formal accusation or strong criticism of someone's actions.

a vitriolic attack

Implies a more aggressive and malicious form of criticism.

a furious denunciation

Conveys intense anger and public condemnation.

a fierce castigation

Emphasizes the punitive nature of the criticism.

a damning assessment

Suggests the criticism has serious and potentially irreversible consequences.

a pointed admonishment

Highlights the direct and purposeful nature of the criticism.

FAQs

How can I use "a scathing rebuke" in a sentence?

You can use "a scathing rebuke" to describe a situation where someone or something receives harsh criticism, such as, "The company's handling of the crisis received "a scathing rebuke" from regulators."

What are some alternatives to "a scathing rebuke"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a harsh reprimand", "a blistering condemnation", or "severe criticism", which all convey strong disapproval but with slightly different emphasis.

Is "a scathing rebuke" formal or informal?

"A scathing rebuke" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for news articles, academic papers, and professional communications. More informal settings might use simpler terms for criticism.

What's the difference between "a scathing rebuke" and "a strong disagreement"?

"A scathing rebuke" implies a severe and often public criticism, while "a strong disagreement" simply indicates a difference of opinion. The former suggests a forceful and negative reaction, whereas the latter is more neutral.