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

Gordon’s novel, in addition to its realism about what people can and can’t get from one another, offers a biting satire of the parasocial-friendship ecosystem of podcasts and social media. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

West Nile virus is transmitted to birds through the bite of an infected mosquito, and mosquitoes can become infected with the virus by biting an infected bird. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026