BITING Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

biting 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbī-tiŋ

Definition of biting

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

biting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of bite, informal + sometimes impolite

as in sucking

to be objectionable or unsatisfactory man, that really bites that you have to work on the weekend

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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

Adjective

That raises concerns that in certain situations, the repellent may even begin to attract some biting insects. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 4 June 2026 These pesky, tiny biting insects can be a nuisance and prevent you from enjoying time outside in your yard. — Lauren David, Southern Living, 29 May 2026

Verb

Or surprised to see the players all biting into the same place on those objects? — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 Taylor had worked with the USDA’s screwworm program until the 1990s, when he was reassigned to work with other biting flies until his retirement about five years ago. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for biting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for biting

Adjective

Introduced in a state of drunken collapse, Anderson — fearful, bitter, despairing, protective — is quite magnificent limning different levels of intoxication.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
With a conference showdown and bitter rivalry looming next week against Geneva, Batavia decided to open Friday night’s game with some fireworks.

— Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of bitter

Adjective

This hampers several of my favorite performances, especially Harper, whose Ben is full of sarcastic indignation, and June Laporte as Ginny, an aspiring reporter in need of proper mentoring.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
The sarcastic Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) and affable actor Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) are among her favorite characters.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of sarcastic

Verb

This pest injures the host plant by using its piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap.

— Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
However, the wear patterns on the teeth were consistent with sucking — not chewing — hard, round abrasive objects over many years, Brumm says.

— Pien Huang, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of sucking

Adjective

The strikes marked a sharp escalation in fighting between the two South Asian countries and risked further complicating international efforts to ease tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.

— MUNIR AHMED, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
The Aries Full Moon illuminates your 2nd house of resources, bringing income, spending, possessions, or self-worth into sharper focus.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of sharp

Adjective

Burić won Best Actor at the 35th European Film Awards for his role in Ruben Östlund’s satirical black comedy Triangle of Sadness, which won the Palme d’Or at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in 2022.

— Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
Waugh on his turn from satirical humorist to dark inquisitor of the human condition is in full effect here.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of satiric

Adjective

Biting and stinging arthropods, such as wasps, mosquitos and spiders, account for five states.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
That move came just as the clock was running out Friday on stopgap levies the president imposed after a stinging defeat for other tariffs at the Supreme Court.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026

Definition of stinging

Adjective

Which is to say, this is more a barbed comedy of manners than a proper, elegant period piece.

— Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
There are plenty of Ostalgie museums in today’s united Germany, furnished with memorabilia of the German Democratic Republic, from twigs of barbed wire to Trabant gearboxes.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of barbed

Adjective

There are two types of TBIs, penetrating and non-penetrating.

— Connie Etermadi, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
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