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

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Relevance

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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

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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

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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

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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
The Coast Guard said at least one person was treated with injuries consistent with shark bites. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 There’s also reassuring initial bite at the top of the travel, yet the setup doesn’t feel grabby or overly anxious in everyday driving situations. — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
Wild game — including deer, elk, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep — infected with EHD usually spike a fever within seven days of being bitten. — Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026 The law enforcement official told CNN one flight attendant was bitten and a second was cut, and that officers resorted to plastic restraints to subdue Blair. — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
Isn’t space compute a little bit more interesting to allocate those dollars than taking some mobile customers from AT&T? — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026 One of us doesn’t mind, and the other one kind of minds a little bit. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
The sea lion bit her arm, hand and feet, Gray told Oakland’s KTVU. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026 The Colts bit on it, but Mahomes recoiled and looked over the middle of the field. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
The law enforcement official told CNN one flight attendant was bitten and a second was cut, and that officers resorted to plastic restraints to subdue Blair. — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 One of the flight attendants was bitten and the other sustained a laceration, according to a law enforcement source. — Alice Gainer, CBS News, 12 Oct. 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
  • Yet, as in many speculative markets, sophisticated participants often have access to better information, stronger analytical tools and more advanced risk-management techniques than retail participants, giving them an informational edge.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The eastern edge of the park is the north-south alley that serves businesses along Laramie.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • Tall Paul said through an outraged mouthful of banoffee doughnut.
    — Kevin Barry, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 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 red meat.
    — Dylan Lovan, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of mouthful
Noun
  • Highs across the Houston area are expected to reach only the upper 60s or lower 70s, with breezes adding to the chill.
    — Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 17 Oct. 2026
  • October is spooky season, and this week's offerings from Disney+ and Hulu lean into the chills and thrills.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of chill
Verb
  • The system sucks up nearly 100% of cancer-causing diesel particulates and 95% of nitrogen oxide.
    — Micheline Maynard, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Warmer air wants to hold more water, so the air sucks moisture from vegetation.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of suck
Noun
  • Some are prized for their sweet custard and fruity notes, others for a hint of bitterness, an alcohol tinge or even a peanut butter flavor.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Arugula’s natural bitterness kicks off digestion before the first bite, cueing saliva, stomach acid and digestive enzymes that help the body prepare to break down a meal.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of bitterness
Noun
  • Over the past few years, that space has become much more crowded, with brands from On Running to APL to Deckers Brands’ HOKA to New Balance managing to meet consumers’ changing tastes.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Rice’s reputation as the rare C-suite suit with both taste and talent-friendliness followed him out of Disney to a non-exclusive production and co-financing deal with A24 for both TV and film.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of taste
Noun
  • The mouthfeel is full bodied, and the finish is loaded with refreshing acidity that invites you in for another sip.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2026
  • These high-acidity juices can cause whey protein powder to coagulate and curdle.
    — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of acidity
Noun
  • Protect your nibbles from Giuseppe, the resident seagull, who was particularly interested in my anchovies on toast.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The menu is as unfussy as the dishes on it—divided into nibbles and small and large plates, all highlighted by Ottolenghi’s quintessential bright, citrusy Middle Eastern flavors.
    — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of nibble

Phrases Containing bite

Browse Nearby Words

bitchy
bite
bite (at)
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Cite this Entry

“Bite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bite. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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