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

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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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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

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

Its cover features Jackson wearing headphones and biting down on a mouthpiece as if she’s being prepped for shock treatment. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 Scientists have also found giant squid beaks (its biting apparatus) in sperm whale stomachs. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for biting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for biting

Adjective

Thin-shelled yet not overly delicate, stuffed with amarena cherry-scented light ricotta bookended by bitter dark chocolate chips.

— The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Today’s recipe Chef David Tanis’ recipe for Persimmon and Pomegranate Salad With Bitter Lettuces has a nice combination of sweet and bitter.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of bitter

Adjective

The department’s post drew skeptical and sarcastic reactions from commenters who wondered whether the missing $30 called for a public search.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Our second president, John Adams, was said to have had a sarcastic demeanor and made biting remarks about his contemporaries.

— John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of sarcastic

Verb

All alone with a few thousand dollars to my name, courtesy of my soul-sucking corporate job.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
For instance, Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries have become openly obsequious in sucking up to the DSA.

— Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of sucking

Adjective

The satirical website The Onion also moved to take over Jones’ Infowars platforms and turn his bullhorn of conspiracy theories into parody sites.

— Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
The satirical website the Onion also moved to take over Jones’ Infowars platforms and turn his bullhorn of conspiracy theories into parody sites.

— Jim Vertuno, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 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

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