scathing

Scathing as some of the portraits are, the writer is by no means merely cynical.

Scathing comments by Franklin on Thomas Penn's meanness, 138.

Scathing sentences already took shape in his brain, but deeper investigation would be necessary before he could write anything.

Scathing letters are all right, but they should be directed and stamped, then burned just before they are trusted to the mails.