Scathed

The adjective 'scathed' describes something that has suffered severe harm, damage, or criticism. It implies a lasting impact, often leaving a mark of injury, emotional distress, or loss of reputation. The damage can be physical, emotional, or reputational, suggesting a vulnerability that was exploited or an incident that brought about a significant adverse outcome. The term suggests an experience that has had a profound and often negative consequence, leaving an imprint on the subject of the term. It denotes an event or situation where harm or critique has been significant and possibly ongoing.

Scathed meaning with examples

• The investigative report revealed a company scathed by years of unethical practices. They had lost significant market share and customer trust, leaving their reputation in tatters, struggling to recover from the scandal and financial ruin that plagued their business.
• After the brutal online bullying, the young girl was left emotionally scathed, finding it challenging to trust others and re-engage socially. She sought therapy to recover from the psychological trauma and rebuild her self-esteem.
• The battlefield was scathed by relentless artillery fire, littered with debris and showing the destructive power of the conflict. The buildings were damaged, showing the devastation the war caused, and the surrounding landscape was scarred.
• The politician's career was scathed by the revelation of a long-hidden scandal, making it difficult to regain the public’s trust and support. Despite attempts to rehabilitate his image, his chances of future political aspirations dwindled.
• The once-thriving ecosystem was scathed by pollution, leading to a decline in biodiversity and the disappearance of several animal species. Environmentalists are now racing to mitigate the damage and restore the habitat to its original splendor.