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 of biting

• 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

As the nation bonded as one over the past two weeks biting nails, screaming at wins, wincing at crashes and choking up at all the beautiful moments of Olympic competition, another group of athletes were – and still are – out honing their multi-level championship skills. —Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026

The bulk of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull, the biting point of a shark tooth, the startling familiarity of a hominin footprint—and then there’s the charm inherent to any sample of regurgitalite, the paleontological term for fossilized vomit. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2026

The Chill Factor Perhaps the most biting statistic of the season so far is the temperature. —CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

Morbidly Jewish finds Raanan at his most biting, acerbic, angry, Jewish, and, as always…loud. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026

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