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
My profound sympathy and hope for a full and speedy recovery go to the recent victims of rabid beaver bites in Maryland. — Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2026 The event featues a food adventure with creative food bites and drinks. — Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
Our second president, John Adams, was said to have had a sarcastic demeanor and made biting remarks about his contemporaries. — John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 Sustained Ukrainian drone strikes have hit Russia’s refineries, and tougher Western sanctions have started to bite, like the lower European Union oil price cap and measures targeting Russia’s shadow-fleet enablers. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Noun
A little bit Wizard of Oz, a little bit Jurassic Park, a premise that nobody expected to work that apparently completely, totally, 100 percent works! — David Pierce, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2026 Here are five of my favorite summer vacation spots in the Northeast that offer plenty to do and a little bit of a break from the heat. — Josh Roberts, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
The West Australian reported that Barrientos allegedly bit her neck, cheek and breast, causing bruising and swelling. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026 The sow slammed down on me and ferociously bit my shoulder and arms again and again, with much more aggression than before. — Todd Orr, Outdoor Life, 30 July 2026
Verb
Those bitten by a snake should call 911 or an emergency vet immediately, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026 If you are bitten by a tick, experts recommend saving the tick in the freezer if possible. — Eva Flowe, Charlotte Observer, 11 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
  • In addition, Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb were the only edge-rushing outside linebackers on the field for the Bills’ first-team defense.
    — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • And this year, the popular concept will be revisited in a new mid-top form, giving the shoe an even more boot-like edge.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • Trump himself issued mouthfuls of balderdash during the event.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • And despite unexpectedly finding a mouthful of razor-sharp teeth on the end of his line, Seamus doesn't appear traumatized in the slightest.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of mouthful
Noun
  • If the infection enters the bloodstream, symptoms also can include fever, chills, low blood pressure and blistering skin lesions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Steve Bardens/Getty Images Brighton & Hove Albion must be careful that the chill of winter does not arrive much earlier than normal for them this season in the Conference League.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of chill
Verb
  • Go on golf trips, tell your wife that there's no reception at the course, suck down a bunch of booze, act like an idiot and go home knowing none of it will end up on social media.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Deep Cleaning Air Registers Air returns suck dust into the registers along with the air in your home.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of suck
Noun
  • 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
  • The tea supplies tannins and bitterness while maple and orange recreate that familiar balance of sweet, bitter and citrus.
    — Ryan Brennan August 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of bitterness
Noun
  • Freshmen and transfer students moved into their dormitories on Tuesday, beginning a new chapter and getting their first taste of college life.
    — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Fantastic Fest, the most reliably eclectic and unapologetically strange American film festival on the fall calendar, has unveiled a lineup that promises to delight any cinephile whose tastes lie outside the conventional.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of taste
Noun
  • The best wine for tailgating is often a crisp, dry rosé because of its versatility, refreshing acidity and ability to pair with a wide range of football season’s favorite finger foods.
    — Katie Kelly Bell, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • There’s powerful minerality with a bright burst of delightful acidity in the finish.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of acidity
Noun
  • Chipmunks dig in planters to bury food or nibble on bulbs and foliage.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
  • And the consequences of a curious nibble can range from vomiting to emergency surgery to death.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 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 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bite for Spanish Speakers

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