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

Collins cited the biting effects of the shutdown as a critical motivation for negotiators: Food aid payments and other government benefits expired over the weekend, sending states scrambling to address the shortfalls as the Trump administration makes partial payments. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Their biting wit turned upon whiteness and the colonizer has served as much inspiration. —Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025

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

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