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
as in ache
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Dissimilar Words
as in aching
to feel or cause physical pain
the injection only smarted for a moment
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Recent Examples of smarting
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
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
Verb
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarting
Adjective
-
So Google isn’t trying to release more biting mosquitoes into neighborhoods.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 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
Noun
-
Their soft, breathable and moisture-wicking socks are designed to help improve circulation, reduce swelling and relieve aches and fatigue throughout the day.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
-
According to health officials, symptoms for West Nile virus may include fever and chills, headache and body aches, fatigue, joint pain, nausea and vomiting and a skin rash.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Except half the time, those cute sandals rub, chafe, and leave my feet aching.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
22 June 2026
-
Deep trust grows with clear boundaries as aching Chiron enters your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
Looking for a silver lining Some analysts fear that the friction over the 250th celebrations, especially the national ones, may end up reinforcing the nation's bitter divide rather than providing a respite from it.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
This inverts the usual analysis of American politics, that our bitter culture wars will always resolve down to questions like affordability.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
Matthew Boyd will need another minor-league rehab assignment after experiencing left shoulder soreness while trying to come back from surgery on his left knee.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Workout success is not defined by soreness, sweat, fatigue, heart rate, or calories burned, since these metrics often reflect individual factors rather than progress.—
Christa Sgobba,
Health,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes judges don’t have a full picture of the risks a victim faces, like an abuser’s access to weapons and prior threats to kill, and release men arrested on domestic violence charges quickly, with little to keep them away from the women they’re accused of hurting.—
Sara-James Ranta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 June 2026
-
Businesses will pay more for space, residential renters will feel it through higher rents, and visitors at our hotels, B&Bs and Airbnbs will pay more, too, hurting tourism statewide.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Davidson had leveled the same line of criticism against Conley in one of the primary race's few sharp clashes.—
Chris McKenna,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
In sharp contrast, the UPEPA tracks the existing summary judgment standard which only looks to whether a minimum of evidence exists and does not require the court to decide issues of facts.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
To compensate for winter’s period of lean rations, however, flatties gorge in spring to ease their wake-up hunger pangs and again in fall to gain weight like bears preparing for hibernation.—
Keith Sutton,
Outdoor Life,
18 June 2026
-
Cristina and her husband, Gary, have been cooking Argentinian cuisine there for 25 years, easing hunger pangs of celebrities, local legends and average consumers alike.—
Jenna Thompson
June 16,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarting. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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