smarting 1 of 3

adjective

as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin we had to press on, despite the smarting sleet that was blowing in our faces

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

smarting

2 of 3

noun

as in ache

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Dissimilar Words

smarting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of smart
as in aching
to feel or cause physical pain the injection only smarted for a moment

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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 smarting
Verb
Michelle, who is smarting from Jesse and Lacy’s visible affection, decides to go full Coyote Ugly on the bar. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 July 2026 But, the West Germans looked like dogs chasing cars as the swift Algerians, smarting from the Germans’ strutting arrogance, flowed to a 2-1 upset at Gijón that brought appreciation for Algeria’s audacity and artistry. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026 Democrats are still smarting from the initial round of the redistricting wars that kicked off last year. — Philip Elliott, Time, 8 June 2026 The French, still smarting from the Treaty of Paris, did not. — Literary Hub, 26 May 2026 Underlying tensions are taut, Iran thinks the US blockade is a violation, the UAE is still smarting from Iranian missile attacks Monday and Tuesday, and Israel is torching a key plank of the ceasefire deal, re-escalating in Lebanon by bombing Hezbollah leaders. — Jennifer Hansler, CNN Money, 7 May 2026 The centers are also smarting from the expiration of $23 million in general fund dollars that were approved in 2022, according to Janelle Melohn with the National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers. — Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 5 May 2026 Shoppers are already smarting from financial strain, analysts from Edward Jones and EY-Parthenon said. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026 Soon, Goodwin began out-smarting his family. — Doug Haller, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarting
  1. biting
  2. ache
  3. aching
  4. bitter
  5. soreness
  6. hurting
  7. sharp
  8. pang
Adjective
  • The pacing is more frenetic, the narration more biting, the flashbacks more jarring, and the comedowns much harsher.
    — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026
Definition of biting
Noun
  • Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea and confusion.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 11 July 2026
  • About 20% of infected people will develop mild symptoms such as a fever, body aches and nausea.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of ache
Verb
  • The Hot Stone Massage is the ultimate R&R, using warm volcanic stones to calm and soothe aching muscles in a full-body, 60- or 90-minute massage.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
  • But after a long day on the slopes, your aching limbs might need a cooldown, which is where the home’s sizable indoor pool comes in.
    — Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2026
Definition of aching
Adjective
  • These models are typically not trained on or constrained by explicit physics rules, data, or simulations—remember, the bitter lesson.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026
  • The increasingly bitter contest will be among the next races where progressive candidates are facing more moderate rivals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Definition of bitter
Noun
  • Royals star Salvador Perez missed Thursday’s game with soreness in his right elbow.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • Proponents say the workout’s minimal movements, like short sets of squats and lifting light weights, leave them with soreness but also increase their muscle.
    — Diana Anos, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of soreness
Verb
  • There was some solid back-and-forth in the first frame, but Costa seized the momentum late in the frame, hurting Durden just before the horn.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • The idea of hurting your kids is like just the worst nightmare possible.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of hurting
Adjective
  • In addition to the sharp shape, the coffee brown shade gives the bag a more elevated feel.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 6 July 2026
  • During male puberty, rising testosterone drives the cartilage to grow forward and meet at a sharper angle, while simultaneously lengthening the vocal folds and vocal tract housed just behind it.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of sharp
Noun
  • When its inevitable end arrives, the sun’s core will exhaust the last traces of hydrogen fuel and kick off the first stellar death pangs.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 July 2026
  • Kanaal is king for indulging elevenses hunger pangs, providing cakes, cookies, tea, coffee, and made-to-order traditional Dutch sweets including stroopwafles and puffertjes.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 June 2026
Definition of pang

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smarties
smarting
smartly
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Cite this Entry

“Smarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarting. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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