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 aching
to feel or cause physical pain
the injection only smarted for a moment
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in ache
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarting
Adjective
-
Attendees in The Hague have framed the defense spending pledge and snappy communique as a response to the threat of Russia, not just the biting condemnation of the U.S. president.—
Ellie Cook — reporting from The Hague,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025 -
As always, Danan’s voice is hysterically funny, her characters’ exhibiting a wry and biting sense of humor.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
19 May 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
-
Diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, aches and pains, obesity, and the immune system are challenged.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
7 July 2025
-
Consistently waking up with nagging aches and pains?—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
There were no bitter comments blaming liberal forest-management policies.—
Nick Allardice,
Time,
10 July 2025
-
Public records show the home belongs to former Councilman Bill Sanders, who ran for mayor and lost last year after a years-long history of bitter clashes with other city officials and staff.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
The screen is bright and sharp enough, the speakers aren't bad, and the cameras are 1080p.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
9 July 2025
-
Elevate the Rugby Shirt With Leggings and Loafers An oversized rugby shirt paired with slim pants and a turtleneck makes for a sharp, unexpected combination.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Other coaching clients describe getting pangs of guilt about adding complex assignments to direct reports’ already heavy workloads.—
Liz Guthridge,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
The immediacy of hunger pangs makes focusing on the future a challenge.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
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
-
But these little twinges the audience might feel about everyone being mortal only added, if anything, to the evening’s personal potency, and the vitality of a reconvening of the tribe that supported the Wilson sisters from the outset, along with strays picked up during the MTV years.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Shi is particularly keen to dive deeply into conversation with Benioff on precisely these points.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
Motherwell finished third in the Scottish Premier League that season, behind Celtic and Rangers, and while McGhee was keen not to lean too much on a ‘do it for Phil’ message, that clearly hung over the squad for the whole season.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Smarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarting. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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