Withering, as criticism (5)
I believe the answer is:
harsh
(Other definitions for harsh that I've seen before include "Severe and disagreeable" , "Guttural" , "Strict, unfair" , "Unpleasantly stern" , "Strident" .)
I believe the answer is:
harsh
(Other definitions for harsh that I've seen before include "Severe and disagreeable" , "Guttural" , "Strict, unfair" , "Unpleasantly stern" , "Strident" .)