bite 1 of 2

noun

Definition of bitenext
1
as in edge
a harsh or sharp quality the fall winds had a real bite

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mouthful
a small piece or quantity of food had only a bite to eat before rushing off

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness weather with a bite that suggested winter was right around the corner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bite

2 of 2

verb

ˈbīt How to pronounce bite (audio)
informal + sometimes impolite
as in to suck
to be objectionable or unsatisfactory man, that really bites that you have to work on the weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bite
Noun
Unlike the larger reticulated python, which has occasionally been known to swallow humans, Burmese pythons do not see people as prey, though do have a powerful bite and will go after pet dogs and cats. — Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2026 The General Store, a Littleton spot for gifts, knickknacks and small bites, will open its second location in the unit directly next door to the 26-foot-tall ice cream churn bucket. — Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
If you have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or an animal suspected to have rabies, seek medical care immediately and let your provider know about the possible exposure. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Over in Japan, headline prices just hit their highest this year as energy costs bite. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bite
  1. edge
  2. mouthful
  3. chill
  4. suck
  5. bitterness
  6. taste
  7. acidity
  8. nibble
Noun
  • The negative is that rookie edge Keyron Crawford is out for the year with an ankle injury.
    — Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • China continues to rely on Dutch manufacturer ASML for nearly all of its cutting-edge deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines, while some DUV systems encounter US export restrictions.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • Across the cove, less than a hundred yards away, another beaver swam to its lodge, also with a mouthful of sticks.
    — Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Trump himself issued mouthfuls of balderdash during the event.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of mouthful
Noun
  • Let Nerds syrup cool, then transfer to an airtight container and chill until ready to use (makes about 1¼ cups).
    — Bradleigh Mobley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The advisory follows glutathione’s use in the Altadena and Spokane wildfires and recalls at two pharmacies, where usage was linked to fevers, chills, severe headaches and other symptoms.
    — Martha Bellisle, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of chill
Verb
  • In a flash, she was sucked upward, through the light and into an ethereal room without borders.
    — Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Among the many potential downsides for letting the national debt get too high was that the federal government would suck up so much capital that businesses wouldn’t be left with enough.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of suck
Noun
  • This copper beauty serves up bold floral and citrus aromas, plus the signature IPA bitterness.
    — Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Little united the Syrian rebels during the country’s civil war from 2011 to 2024 outside of their hatred of Assad, and Damascus has sought to cultivate this memory of bitterness to keep the country’s disparate groups together.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of bitterness
Noun
  • Other chefs from across the country, including Gregory Gourdet of Kann in Portland, Oregon, and Annie Shi and Jess Shadbolt of Dean’s in New York City, also will bring a taste of their food to the event.
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Still, Zuckerberg’s taste in property suggests the castle’s acreage may be the real draw.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of taste
Noun
  • Today’s recipe A basic vinaigrette is a balancing act between acidity and fat.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • White vinegar is a common household cleaner that can take the musty scent out of some towels because of its high acidity.
    — Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of acidity
Noun
  • In This Article From rabbits to squirrels, protecting our gardens from nibbles and bites is a season-long endeavor.
    — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 26 Aug. 2026
  • After an evening of nibbles and cocktails—and with a pedometer that clocked over 20,000 steps—Lova was ready to turn in for the night.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of nibble

Phrases Containing bite

Browse Nearby Words

bitchy
bite
bite (at)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bite. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gumption

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All