Aspects of the present disclosure include antibacterial aromatic sulfonyl fluoride agents. The subject aromatic sulfonyl fluoride agents have a pharmacophore that can provide for potent antibacterial activity. The subject agents are compounds including an aromatic group substituted with a sulfonyl fluoride warhead group and an electron withdrawing group. The subject agents find use in a variety of antibiotic applications. In some cases, the subject agents find use in methods of treating bacterial infections in a subject. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods.
