bite 1 of 7

noun (1)

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 7

verb (1)

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

bite (at)

3 of 7

verb (2)

as in to erode
to consume or wear away gradually the waves were biting at the sand castle I had worked so hard on

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bite (on)

4 of 7

verb (3)

as in to chew
to crush or grind with the teeth she tends to bite on her pencils when she thinks hard

Synonyms & Similar Words

bit

5 of 7

noun (2)

1
as in speck
a very small piece she left only a bit of the broccoli on her plate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in piece
a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete bits of cookie scattered on the table

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in little
a very small amount I'll have only a bit of food right now

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in while
an indefinite but usually short period of time this will only take a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in act
a performance regularly presented by an individual or group known for a comedic bit in which she portrayed a very nervous student driver

Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in treat
something that is pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury wielding silver trays, the servers offered partygoers a variety of exotic-looking bits

Synonyms & Similar Words

bit

6 of 7

verb (4)

past tense of bite, informal + sometimes impolite
as in sucked
to be objectionable or unsatisfactory man, that really bites that you have to work on the weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bitten

7 of 7

verb (5)

variants also bit
past participle of bite, informal + sometimes impolite
as in smelled
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
Candied yams might sound outdated to younger attendees, but this dish will be love at first bite. — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 11 July 2026 The Great Porch also has light bites that are best enjoyed by the open flames, and there’s Dew Bar, the poolside restaurant opened seasonally. — Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026
Verb
West Nile virus is transmitted to birds through the bite of an infected mosquito, and mosquitoes can become infected with the virus by biting an infected bird. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026 Both snakes bit him on Saturday night at UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
Noun
The water is more khaki than turquoise, and swimmers might come across the odd bit of floating debris, and the smell leaves something to be desired. — Camille Knight, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 The New York Knicks' first championship team in 53 years is now starting to look a little bit different. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Verb
Police said that during a brief struggle, Greene bit an officer in the forearm. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 28 June 2026 Earlier this year while touring with AC/DC, the singer was bit by a poisonous spider. — Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Verb
In Hengzhou, encounters with snakes that reportedly escaped from a farm prompted authorities to stock up on antivenom and advise residents what to do if they were bitten. — ABC News, 9 July 2026 In the space of just 48 hours this past January, four people were bitten by sharks along Australia’s east coast, with a 12-year-old boy dying from his injuries. — Sam Nichols, Scientific American, 8 July 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 Detroit pizza features the style’s signature crown of crispy cheese around the edges, and a blanket of brick cheese.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Both the scalloped edges and adorable blue gingham print made this a top pick for me.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • But cases are on the rise as more people report symptoms such as hives, diarrhea and itchiness after eating as little as a mouthful of meat and — in some cases — dairy.
    — Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
  • But cases are on the rise as more people report symptoms such as hives, diarrhea and itchiness after eating as little as a mouthful of meat and — in some cases — dairy.
    — Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 13 June 2026
Definition of mouthful
Noun
  • Some nights, this space is used as a chill spot where golfers can sit, eat, and drink with their friends or simply take in the eye-candy of the course itself.
    — Joel Haley, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 10 July 2026
  • The simple premise and pacing conceal its supreme power and startling chill, throwing you directly into the fray for a nightmarish immersive experience.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Definition of chill
Verb
  • As whole house fans and swamp coolers can suck additional pollutants inside, the department recommends using air purifiers or air conditioners as alternatives when possible.
    — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Pests Aphids, squash bugs, and spider mites can suck a cucumber plant’s sap and cause the leaves to yellow, brown, or curl.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
Definition of suck
Noun
  • As olives ripen, their oil content increases, texture softens and flavor becomes milder and less bitter – with the bitterness due to naturally occurring compounds called oleuropeins.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 11 July 2026
  • Mexican Americans have long risen up to defend ourselves and defy our haters, but there’s usually an underlying strain of bitterness and anger that kneecaps us at the worst possible moments.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of bitterness
Noun
  • Kansas City got just a small taste of the magnetic fever over Lionel Messi, the global superstar who is regarded as one of the best ever to kick a ball.
    — PJ Green July 13, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
  • Josh Sonni-Lambie This tour could be an exciting opportunity for the 18-year-old striker to get a taste of senior action.
    — Andy Jones, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of taste
Noun
  • That's because the compounds that are found in red wine (the one's that are full of acidity and produce a dye-like substance) don't have as much time to set in.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
  • Like the perfect peach, your fruit salad should dance between acidity and sweetness.
    — Cooking Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of acidity
Noun
  • What could have been a throwaway nibble instead becomes a thought-through, gripping preface that sets up what’s to come.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Stuff homemade or store-bought pimiento cheese into jarred peppadew peppers for bite-size nibbles that make a grand impression.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 24 June 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 18 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on bite

Nglish: Translation of bite for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
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
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All