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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
  • After Leaving Mr Mackenzie Jean Rhys, 1931 Rhys was one of those amazing, tragic, ahead-of-her-time women and her life mirrored that of Julia, the main character in this book, which is a raging scream against the patriarchy and a biting critique of how women are viewed.
    The Week UK, theweek, 2 Aug. 2024
  • 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
Definition of biting
Noun
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that people may also experience stiff neck and flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue.
    Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Symptoms usually start within two weeks of eating food contaminated with listeria and can include fever, muscle aches, headache, tiredness, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures, according to the CDC.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 22 Nov. 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
  • On the eve of the election, amid a bitter chill, Marisela Olvera, a member of the Culinary Workers Union, rapped on doors in North Las Vegas to make her pitch.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 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
  • Baker cuts to conflicted close-ups of Igor, underscoring his pangs of conscience on the periphery of the plot.
    A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
  • There were still pangs of disbelief during her press conference.
    Brendan Quinn, The Athletic, 10 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
  • Ryan is keen to make clear that his firm is unlike the dozens of already existing ones.
    Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Another region in Moldova’s south, Gagauzia, is also keen to build closer ties with Moscow.
    Clare Sebastian, CNN, 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 30 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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