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

noun

smarting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of smart

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarting
Adjective
  • Katy Perry is continuing to catch strays, this time from the most biting demographic of all: the pop girlie fandom.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 2 May 2025
  • During the taping of a recent Netflix special, Kyle Dunnigan impersonated Musk onstage in a biting parody—the audience laughed, but Rogan sat mostly silent, avoiding eye contact, appearing unwilling to signal disloyalty to the tech mogul.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Grief arrives in waves — sometimes in quiet tears, sometimes in guttural sobs, sometimes in the simple, brutal ache of reaching for your phone to text her, only to remember a painstaking reality.
    Carissa Talmage, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • Headaches and migraines, which are described as tension-type headaches, are common in women and can be associated with other body aches and pains.
    Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 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
Adjective
  • The harmony of flavors—including sweet tomatoes and cider, bitter radishes, spicy greens, umami Parmesan, and salty finishing flakes—kept me going back for bite after bite.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
  • So now he is compelled to marry Leah as well, forcing the sisters into a bitter rivalry for Jacob’s love.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • The bearish or negative divergence has been closely monitored, as in my A/D line analysis, a drop below support at line c would have forecasted a sharper decline.
    Tom Aspray, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
  • Utilizing exceptional command and a sharp plan of attack, Fedde dominated his former team in his first appearance back at Nationals Park since his final season with Washington in 2022.
    Katie Woo, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Then, the protein boosts alertness, supports stable energy levels, and staves off hunger pangs for longer.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Dalton feels a pang when the hare bounds past the garden wall.
    Alexandra Alter, New York Times, 23 Mar. 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
  • With distrust running high, both sides have been keen not to appear weak, and economic analysts had low expectations of a breakthrough.
    Emma Farge, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • Afterward, the friend wanted to return to the hotel to rest again, but the OP was keen to keep exploring.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 11 May 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 20 May. 2025.

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