as in mouthfuls
a small piece or quantity of food
had only a bite to eat before rushing off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 bites
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Hantavirus can also spread through rodent bites or scratches, though this is rare.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
Buck’s Coffee Café is a Cashiers gem that serves various types of coffee and espresso drinks, breakfast and lunch, pastries, beer and wine offerings, and small bites.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 3 May 2026
If cocktails and light bites are more your thing, head upstairs to indoor/outdoor Stratus Rooftop Lounge.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026
The California Poison Control System also notes that rattlesnakes are venomous and their bites can be dangerous or even life-threatening, with symptoms potentially developing within minutes or hours.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
There are also beignet bites and a savory version served with bacon gravy.
—Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
The fundraiser also features bar bites, beer, wine, soft drinks, a silent auction and 50/50 raffles.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
What’s Ahead for Kish Kish can currently be seen enjoying plenty of glorious bites each week on the current season of Top Chef.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 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
Hantavirus is primarily spread by mice and rats to people when they are exposed to rodent urine, droppings or saliva, and less commonly through scratches or bites.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Hantavirus can also spread through rodent bites or scratches, though this is rare.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
Buck’s Coffee Café is a Cashiers gem that serves various types of coffee and espresso drinks, breakfast and lunch, pastries, beer and wine offerings, and small bites.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 3 May 2026
If cocktails and light bites are more your thing, head upstairs to indoor/outdoor Stratus Rooftop Lounge.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026
The California Poison Control System also notes that rattlesnakes are venomous and their bites can be dangerous or even life-threatening, with symptoms potentially developing within minutes or hours.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
There are also beignet bites and a savory version served with bacon gravy.
—Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
The fundraiser also features bar bites, beer, wine, soft drinks, a silent auction and 50/50 raffles.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
What’s Ahead for Kish Kish can currently be seen enjoying plenty of glorious bites each week on the current season of Top Chef.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 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
-
In Episode 2, Cassie dresses like a baby and sucks on a pacifier, which caused quite a stir online.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
21 Apr. 2026
-
And the press just sucks it up like a Hoover Deluxe.—
Natalia Mittelstadt,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The key is choosing items that reflect her daily rituals and specific tastes rather than grabbing whatever is generic and available.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
As far as customization goes, Matouk excels in designing high-quality bath towels that suit all tastes.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The line taps into Eastern herbal medicine and smells incredible—a waft of botanicals that stays with you all day.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
-
The spirit smells like hazelnuts and tastes like peppercorns.—
Abbey Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Suites elevate the experience with more space, walk-in closets, upgraded bathrooms, and, for Neptune Suite guests, exclusive access to a private lounge, serving nibbles and drinks throughout the day.—
Aaron Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Don’t nudge your side piece for inside nibbles.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bites. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
