Synonyms of biting

biting 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbī-tiŋ 

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

• bitter
• sharp
• stinging
• penetrating
• piercing
• cutting
• brisk
• keen
• raw
• shrewd
• smarting
• caustic
• snappy
• corrosive
• prickly
• tingling
• invigorating
• needlelike
• nippy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mild
• gentle
• soothing
• balmy

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

• sarcastic
• satiric
• barbed
• acidic
• acid
• cutting
• caustic
• scathing
• sardonic
• corrosive
• sharp
• acerbic
• mordant
• pungent
• acrid
• tart
• ironic
• scalding
• acidulous
• harsh
• cynical
• snarky
• smart-aleck
• sour
• smart-alecky
• blunt
• cross
• severe
• spiky
• dry
• trenchant
• smart-mouthed
• incisive
• concise
• acerb
• brisk
• wry
• flippant
• poignant
• keen
• bitter
• vitriolic
• facetious
• sourish
• pithy
• curt
• acrimonious
• abrupt
• gruff
• stringent
• tartish
• brusque
• terse
• crisp
• sharp-tongued
• backhanded
• resentful
• succinct
• snippy
• tongue-in-cheek
• insincere
• rough
• snippety

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• playful
• amusing
• mild
• gentle
• merry
• droll
• bland
• diplomatic
• waggish
• smooth
• polite
• sportive
• good-natured
• urbane
• hospitable
• cordial
• gracious
• good-humored
• genial
• sociable
• affable
• suave

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sucking
• smelling
• stinking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ruling
• rocking

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of biting

Adjective

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

Netflix’s big comedy bet might be the Dan Levy–Rachel Sennott co-creation Big Mistakes; the biting, farcical series about adult siblings who get caught up in the drug business plays like Weeds crossed with The Other Two. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 2 May 2026

Verb

Burch’s brilliantly witty, biting and all-knowing screenplay never satirizes these characters or looks down on them in a movie Jones and his exceptional actors have blessed with sheer humanity and grace. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026

Within two weeks, later symptoms may include anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, being very thirsty but panicked by fluids, having lots of saliva and aggressive behavior like thrashing and biting. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026