biting

adjective

bit·​ing ˈbī-tiŋ 

: having the power to bite

a biting wind

especially : able to grip and impress deeply

a biting wit

bitingly

ˈbī-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• bitter
• sharp
• stinging
• penetrating
• piercing
• cutting
• brisk
• keen

Examples of biting in a Sentence

a biting wind that only the toughest football fans were willing to endure

the biting comments by the pundits about the government's inaction

Recent Examples on the Web

But usually the administration official doesn’t fight back in such a biting way. —David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025

Over nearly three decades, Baumbach has built a career chronicling families in crisis and artists at the crossroads, his films combining biting wit with an unflinching emotional honesty. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025

Those were the biting words of John Harbaugh after his team’s 37-20 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. —Zak Keefer, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

The most famous biting incident occurred during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when Suarez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing biting

• biting louse
• biting midge
• crib biting

Rhymes for biting

• blighting
• citing
• fighting
• lighting
• righting
• sighting
• siting
• slighting
• whiting
• writing
• alighting
• backbiting

Kids Definition

biting

adjective

bit·​ing ˈbīt-iŋ 

: causing bodily or mental distress : sharp, cutting

biting wit

a biting cold