smarting 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of smartingnext
as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin we had to press on, despite the smarting sleet that was blowing in our faces

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

smarting

2 of 3

noun

as in ache

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

smarting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of smart
as in aching
to feel or cause physical pain the injection only smarted for a moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarting
  1. biting
  2. ache
  3. aching
  4. bitter
  5. sharp
  6. pang
  7. twinge
  8. keen
Adjective
  • The sketch seemed to be SNL’s attempt to balance the cold open’s levity with a more biting tone about the wearying stakes of deciding the nation’s leadership.
    Amanda Wicks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2024
  • Will Ari craft a biting lyric finally addressing it?
    Catherine Santino, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Definition of biting
Noun
  • People who aren’t pregnant can expect fever, muscle aches and fatigue that feel like the flu, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024
  • Some individuals may also develop fevers, body aches and other flu-like symptoms.
    Katia Hetter, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024
Definition of ache
Verb
  • The soles feature high-density memory foam to keep aching feet comfortable while walking the dog or checking the mail.
    Nora Colomer, Fox News, 19 Oct. 2024
  • In my suite, the bathroom’s heated marble floor soothed my aching feet.
    Alexandra Kleeman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2024
Definition of aching
Adjective
  • That will come as a bitter blow to the workers affected.
    The Week UK, theweek, 10 Nov. 2024
  • In this swing county of Washoe, in the swing state of Nevada, intense scrutiny is focused on the election process after years of staff turmoil, denial of the 2020 results, bitter lawsuits, and criticism of how ballots are cast and counted.
    Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Definition of bitter
Adjective
  • Washington could’ve been sharper on that possession — Jayden Daniels missed an open receiver on a crosser one play before the Ekeler drop.
    Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
  • Since 2000, there has been a sharp increase in pediatric cannabis calls to the nation’s poison centers.
    Dr. Jerrold B. Leikin, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
Definition of sharp
Noun
  • But sometimes your best dinner-planning efforts can’t stave off those hunger pangs.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 28 Oct. 2024
  • British Rating: 9/10 — Anyone who has ever experienced the vicious wild parakeets of London will experience a horrifying pang of recognition.
    Hannah Strong, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2024
Definition of pang
Noun
  • But now the Republicans may be feeling a twinge of Vance-itis, because swing voters may not be as thrilled with mini-Trump as Trump is.
    Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2024
  • Around the start of a new year, a sudden twinge of urgency boils in the pit of our stomachs for something new and fresh.
    Samantha Sasso, refinery29.com, 25 Jan. 2024
Definition of twinge
Adjective
  • However, Melania, 54, is not so keen on relocating to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the source says.
    Linda Marx, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Veterans assemble In 2015, Wild Bunch co-founder Maraval was keen to set up a sales company in the U.S. to package and sell third-party projects with a focus on English-language titles.
    Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
Definition of keen
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thesaurus Entries Near smarting

smarties

smarting

smartly

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Cite this Entry

“Smarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarting. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on smarting

Nglish: Translation of smarting for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of smarting for Arabic Speakers

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