smarting 1 of 3

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

smarting

2 of 3

verb

present participle of smart

smarting

3 of 3

noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarting
Adjective
  • The socially biting comedy comes out at a time of political unrest in Argentina under Javier Milei’s presidency, a government marked by several funding cuts to culture.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
  • No one mentioned the annoying swarms of tiny biting midges that plague Scotland’s west coast in the summer.
    Angus MacKinnon, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Wiz could be a turning point for an uncertain IPO market and a mergers and acquisitions environment aching from a slowdown in deal activity.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2025
  • In fact, this iteration is a lighter and more cushioned version, with a level of support and shock absorption that ensures your feet are not aching after a day of sightseeing.
    Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • While the disease is not contagious, symptoms include cough, fever, headache, muscle aches, and shortness of breath, and can be treated with antibiotics.
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Less common symptoms: Eye inflammation, fatigue, sleep disturbances, stiff neck, fever, and body aches have also been linked to Lyme disease infections.
    Amber Brenza, Health, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, Holland’s bitter ex-spy Harcourt and Brooks’ empathetic Adebayo are mostly on Chris’ side from the jump this season.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Drag slider compare photos Before After Bakhmut After months of bitter clashes since July 2022, the Donetsk city of Bakhmut, north of Avdiivka, fell to Russian forces in May 2023.
    Ellie Cook John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The Republican president has said crime in the city was at emergency levels that only such federal intervention could fix — even as District of Columbia leaders pointed to statistics showing violent crime at a 30-year low after a sharp rise two years ago.
    Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
  • For, in a market where everyone’s shouting, the sharpest ideas, delivered clearly, consistently and credibly, are what cut through.
    Henry McIntosh, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Even now, as EY’s global blockchain leader, Brody remembers feeling a pang of envy.
    MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Now that the hunger pangs have started, here are some National Bagel Day deals to consider.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • The burrata is cool and rich, faintly sweet and a plenty salty with a twinge of sourness.
    Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 26 July 2025
  • Richarlison was taken off at half-time, then Maddison and Solanke were taken off after feeling knee and quad twinges respectively.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Matt Woosnam Everton remain active in the market, and keen to strengthen on the wings in particular — so the caveat with this line-up is that things could easily change again by the end of the window.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Unmatched Sports & Recreation Facilities Active travelers keen to work up a sweat, take note: likely no other resort on the planet rivals Forte Village in terms of both sports and recreational programming and facilities.
    Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Smarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarting. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.

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