as in mouthfuls
a small piece or quantity of food
had only a bite to eat before rushing off
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Recent Examples of bites
Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026
Her skin is cold and clammy, pockmarked with insect bites.
—Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Gathered in small groups on the sidewalk, congregants ate small bites to break the fast before going home to rest.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Interestingly, not all snake bites contain venom because snakes have some control.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Festival guests had the chance to vote on their favorite bites.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
The Menu Details The great thing about a garden brunch is that the food can consist of little bites that don't take much time to make.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2026
Expect fiery cocktails and spicy bites — plus a few surprise DJ sets for a daytime experience that's as much about the vibe as the drink in your hand.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Our findings provide new clues for developing new treatments for spider bites.
—Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Jerry Perez, The Drive, 8 Apr. 2026
Once revived, the viper immediately bites the farmer.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Once an octopus ambushes and bites its prey, the venom in its saliva paralyzes the prey, allowing the octopus to consume it.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026
Once released, the robot’s shot is fate, untouched by the vigorous, broom-flailing choreography that so often determines whether a stone bites the button or drifts wide.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2026
When a mosquito comes and bites him, the bug immediately tastes the spice in his blood and flies away only to combust moments later.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 8 Feb. 2026
Of course, Nile can’t pick it up, and Aggie’s obstinacy once again bites her in the ass.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
One is called Culex pipiens form pipiens, which only bites birds and lives in open air environments, and the other is called Culex pipiens form molestus — from the Latin word for annoying — which bites humans and thrives belowground.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Local transmission can happen when a mosquito bites an infected recent traveler, becomes infected, and then bites a healthy person and passes the virus onto them.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
The 5,384-square-foot micro-market, ReCharge by Gelson’s sells produce and hot food items such as breakfast burritos and sandwiches, chicken wings and tenders, pizza, hot dogs, soups and other small bites.
—Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026
Her skin is cold and clammy, pockmarked with insect bites.
—Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Gathered in small groups on the sidewalk, congregants ate small bites to break the fast before going home to rest.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Interestingly, not all snake bites contain venom because snakes have some control.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Festival guests had the chance to vote on their favorite bites.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
The Menu Details The great thing about a garden brunch is that the food can consist of little bites that don't take much time to make.
—Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2026
Expect fiery cocktails and spicy bites — plus a few surprise DJ sets for a daytime experience that's as much about the vibe as the drink in your hand.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Our findings provide new clues for developing new treatments for spider bites.
—Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
What will the halo and aspirational car space look like when the last V12 finally bites the dust?
—Jerry Perez, The Drive, 8 Apr. 2026
Once revived, the viper immediately bites the farmer.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Once an octopus ambushes and bites its prey, the venom in its saliva paralyzes the prey, allowing the octopus to consume it.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026
Once released, the robot’s shot is fate, untouched by the vigorous, broom-flailing choreography that so often determines whether a stone bites the button or drifts wide.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2026
When a mosquito comes and bites him, the bug immediately tastes the spice in his blood and flies away only to combust moments later.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 8 Feb. 2026
Of course, Nile can’t pick it up, and Aggie’s obstinacy once again bites her in the ass.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
One is called Culex pipiens form pipiens, which only bites birds and lives in open air environments, and the other is called Culex pipiens form molestus — from the Latin word for annoying — which bites humans and thrives belowground.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Local transmission can happen when a mosquito bites an infected recent traveler, becomes infected, and then bites a healthy person and passes the virus onto them.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bites
Noun
-
The possibility of a Chase and Taylor flirtation causing a rift with Miranda is briefly raised and just as swiftly quashed — through large mouthfuls of chips and salsa, Taylor assures Miranda at the sip-and-see that there is no there there.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
-
But now, the future of Lucille’s American Cafe, a Weston comfort-food institution serving up mouthfuls of nostalgia since 1999, is unclear.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
That sucks, since the availability of those classes is important.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
13 Apr. 2026
-
This Roborock Qrevo vacuum contains 8000Pa of powerful suction which sucks up dirt, debris, and hair from the crevices of your carpet and floors.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This 30-minute recipe made in just one skillet tastes like it was worked on for hours.—
Phoebe Evans,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The reboot retains most elements of the original series, but the animation has changed to be more in line with modern tastes—similar to the bright, bubbly style of CoComelon.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Spiky Mexican feathergrass pushes through the gravel in the high desert that smells of creosote after a light rain.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Avoid salmon that looks dull, smells strong, feels mushy, or shows gaps in the flesh.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Common to each space are Marshall Bluetooth speakers, complimentary water, coffee, and tea, elegant mini-bars stocked with local craft beers and nibbles, and plenty of natural light thanks to skylights or garden views.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
For more wonderful panoramas of the Douro river, nip over to Arco Das Verdades – a small, friendly wine bar with a decent selection of traditional Portuguese nibbles.—
Irenie Forshaw,
TheWeek,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bites. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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