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
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
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Recent Examples of smarting
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
The Wanderers, three-time A-League Grand Final losers but AFC Champions League winners in 2014, are still smarting after being knocked out of last season’s Finals series by eventual finalists Melbourne Victory.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Baltimore is smarting from that Monday home loss to Deroit -- but Crows would be 3-0 if not for a pair of Derrick Henry fumbles.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
The bill didn’t specifically target card rooms, but the tribes’ rival gambling establishments, still smarting from last year’s legislative defeat, worried their competitors would find a way to use the pending law against them.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
Simashev was smarting and vulnerable.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
The Wanderers, three-time A-League Grand Final losers but AFC Champions League winners in 2014, are still smarting after being knocked out of last season’s Finals series by eventual finalists Melbourne Victory.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Baltimore is smarting from that Monday home loss to Deroit -- but Crows would be 3-0 if not for a pair of Derrick Henry fumbles.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
The bill didn’t specifically target card rooms, but the tribes’ rival gambling establishments, still smarting from last year’s legislative defeat, worried their competitors would find a way to use the pending law against them.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarting
Adjective
-
Morbidly Jewish finds Raanan at his most biting, acerbic, angry, Jewish, and, as always…loud.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The conservative activist’s 42-minute video posted the day after Christmas quickly spread, prompting stepped up immigration enforcement, frozen federal funds and more biting rhetoric against the Somali community from President Donald Trump.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Studies show that 50 percent of the global population is estimated to suffer from a Vitamin D insufficiency, and this time of year, the effects are even more obvious thanks to a lack of sun exposure—mood swings and fatigue set in, and general aches and pains can become worse.—
Emma Greene,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Their days are filled with doctor’s visits and pill bottles, aches and pains.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
What begins as a casual conversation about the weather and aching hips gradually deepens into an unexpected friendship – and perhaps something more.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Shaped like your favorite travel pillow, only larger, Buffy’s Cloud side sleeper pillow offers ample support to aching necks and shoulders.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
He was chosen as commissioner in October 1989 over New Orleans general manager Jim Finks after a bitter fight highlighting the differences between the NFL's old guard and newer owners.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Arugula Arugula is an aromatic, slightly bitter leafy green.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
LaVine is not listed on the injury report after missing Wednesday’s 121-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors due to lower back soreness.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Already without Keegan Murray (offseason surgery), Sacramento also ruled out Domantas Sabonis (left rib cage contusion) and Zach Lavine (low back soreness).—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Not forcing her to go means hurting the other girl, forcing her to go means teaching your daughter that her own comfort should be subjugated to make someone else happy.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
These are the most casual of gestures, not comparable to relatives hurting a child.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The numbers mark a sharp reversal from a spike in violence during the worst years of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The blazer of Middleton’s look included sharp shoulders with sinuous lapels and angular pockets at the waist.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As politicians in both parties warned that lawbreakers in the crowd would pay, Webster suppressed a pang of fear.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Even the most holiday-inclined have felt this pang at some point.—
Abigail Rosenthal,
Mercury News,
24 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarting. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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