1
as in bitter
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
a biting wind that only the toughest football fans were willing to endure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
the biting comments by the pundits about the government's inaction
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 biting
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 May 2025
But when Afrikaners began to take a serious interest in Mr. Trump’s refugee program, the biting remarks were unleashed.
—Zimasa Matiwane, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Predictably, no streamers were biting.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for biting
Adjective
Fey’s writing usually has a reputation of being more on the biting or sardonic side, but The Four Seasons trades out the eye rolls for loving looks (mostly).
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 May 2025
But when Afrikaners began to take a serious interest in Mr. Trump’s refugee program, the biting remarks were unleashed.
—Zimasa Matiwane, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Verb
Turner was seen grabbing the back of the victim’s head and pressing it into the sand before pulling it up and biting him, according to investigators.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Predictably, no streamers were biting.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for biting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for biting
Adjective
-
There were no bitter comments blaming liberal forest-management policies.—
Nick Allardice,
Time,
10 July 2025
-
Public records show the home belongs to former Councilman Bill Sanders, who ran for mayor and lost last year after a years-long history of bitter clashes with other city officials and staff.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
His passion for all-things superhero has a giddy innocence to it even when his films are sarcastic or jokey.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
-
Both of us were sarcastic and fun and funny, and always making jokes and pranks and just having fun with everybody on set.—
Daniela Avila,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Directed by Robert Eggers, the gothic horror film sees newlyweds Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) and Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) haunted by the treacherous, blood-sucking Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard).—
EW.com,
EW.com,
30 Dec. 2024
-
This time around, even critics were convinced, joining in with libidinous fans to praise the blood-sucking second season, which was recently nominated for two Critics Choice Awards after being largely snubbed by voting bodies last year.—
Elaina Patton,
NBC News,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Experts say the country may be in the midst of the sharpest decline in killings in history — one that can’t be attributed to any single factor.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 July 2025
-
Elevate the Rugby Shirt With Leggings and Loafers An oversized rugby shirt paired with slim pants and a turtleneck makes for a sharp, unexpected combination.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
The poem is part love quest, part account of Italy’s battles; in places profoundly serious, in places satiric.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
-
Neither damning nor satiric, W. is oddly wistful, almost regretful — rare sentiments in a Stone film.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
One spring day in Paris many years ago, my wife, Diana, a most penetrating photographer, capable of seeing like no one else, decided, as an experiment, to walk across the city blindfolded.—
Hisham Matar,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Aug. 2024
-
Since the war began in Gaza, more than six months ago, the Israeli magazine +972 has published some of the most penetrating reporting on the Israel Defense Forces’ conduct.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2024
Adjective
-
The center was built in eight days and features more than 200 security cameras, 28,000-plus feet of barbed wire and 400 security personnel.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
4 July 2025
-
Their prescription, Scaramucci warns, threatens to replace the American dream with a society where a small elite lives behind barbed wire in mansions, and ordinary people struggle for a decent living.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
As America celebrates its 249th anniversary and a declaration of independence from tyranny on July 4, Bolick's comments represent his most piercing and direct condemnation of actions taken by the country's highest political leaders.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
3 July 2025
-
And to eloquently share the piercing but ultimately inspiring tale of his family’s experience with the Special Olympics.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Biting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/biting. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share