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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ache
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in aching
to feel or cause physical pain
the injection only smarted for a moment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
With the Boston Celtics in town, undoubtedly still smarting from the beatdown the Charlotte Hornets put on them earlier this month, the stage was set for another meaningful game in uptown.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Still smarting from the Winfrey experience, Netflix approached the couple to discuss how a potential book deal would impact the release of the docuseries.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
The Clippers were coming off a blowout victory at home over the Pelicans the night before, while the Warriors had spent a day off smarting from their own blowout loss to the Lakers in Chase Center.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
McNeel spent more than the rest of the GOP field combined and was backed by the trial lawyers still smarting over last year’s litigation overhaul.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
With the Boston Celtics in town, undoubtedly still smarting from the beatdown the Charlotte Hornets put on them earlier this month, the stage was set for another meaningful game in uptown.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Still smarting from the Winfrey experience, Netflix approached the couple to discuss how a potential book deal would impact the release of the docuseries.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
The Clippers were coming off a blowout victory at home over the Pelicans the night before, while the Warriors had spent a day off smarting from their own blowout loss to the Lakers in Chase Center.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
McNeel spent more than the rest of the GOP field combined and was backed by the trial lawyers still smarting over last year’s litigation overhaul.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarting
Adjective
-
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
-
The tracks are more vulnerable, biting, and self-aware than ever, and in some cases, feature lyrics pulled right out of Hjelt’s diary.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Other early-onset symptoms may include fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Allison Kiehl,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
After throwing through discomfort last season — the aches in Rodón’s elbow actually dated back years — his arm is now in a much more comfortable place.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Featuring aching, ferocious performances from Emmy winners Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson, Camp Miasma imagines the resurrection of a dormant slasher franchise.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
-
His aching knees won’t allow it.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sara Duterte and President Marcos were running mates in a whirlwind alliance in the 2022 election but have since had a bitter falling out.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Another defeat and the same bitter taste of Thunder second-half dominance.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Embiid began Wednesday listed as probable for Game 2, but six hours before tip-off, the 76ers ruled him out with a right ankle sprain and right hip soreness.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
After left-hander Cole Ragans exited Wednesday night’s game because of tricep and elbow soreness after just three innings, Luinder Avila took over and ran into trouble in the fifth inning.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Four out of five Republicans say gas prices are hurting their budgets too, according to the same NPR/PBS/Marist poll.—
Catie Dull,
NPR,
10 May 2026
-
Once your feet start hurting, everything else suffers.—
Chantelle Kincy,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Quince consistently delivers with airy linens, crisp cottons, and silhouettes that look sharp right out of a suitcase.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
-
Wallstedt was sharp from the get-go Saturday, including buoying the Wild in killing the two first-period Avalanche power plays.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
At a recent sleepover, my 15-year-old son and his 14-year-old friend Charlie, driven by a pang of nostalgia, chose to watch the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics on YouTube.—
Luba Kassova,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
What Brooks proffers is not the philosophy these queries require but a kind of pharmacology—a pill designed to alleviate every last pang.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarting. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
