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
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Recent Examples of smarting
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
The Clippers were coming off a blowout victory at home over the Pelicans the night before, while the Warriors had spent a day off smarting from their own blowout loss to the Lakers in Chase Center.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
McNeel spent more than the rest of the GOP field combined and was backed by the trial lawyers still smarting over last year’s litigation overhaul.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Last summer, Edwards was smarting again from a 4-1 loss to the Thunder in the conference finals.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Though Maia’s apparently now crushing being Tallulah’s manager in terms of getting her lucrative deal$, Tallulah’s still smarting from the embarrassment of her cheesy Ritz ad, leaving her unmotivated to keep going with whatever new ideas Maia puts in front of her.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Luxury Retail Remade Saks Global might have started off 2025 in a hole, with many vendors smarting over money still owed for past orders and reluctant to ship fresh goods to the retailer, but the trends have been getting better.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2025
Simashev was smarting and vulnerable.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
With the Boston Celtics in town, undoubtedly still smarting from the beatdown the Charlotte Hornets put on them earlier this month, the stage was set for another meaningful game in uptown.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Still smarting from the Winfrey experience, Netflix approached the couple to discuss how a potential book deal would impact the release of the docuseries.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
The Clippers were coming off a blowout victory at home over the Pelicans the night before, while the Warriors had spent a day off smarting from their own blowout loss to the Lakers in Chase Center.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
McNeel spent more than the rest of the GOP field combined and was backed by the trial lawyers still smarting over last year’s litigation overhaul.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Last summer, Edwards was smarting again from a 4-1 loss to the Thunder in the conference finals.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Though Maia’s apparently now crushing being Tallulah’s manager in terms of getting her lucrative deal$, Tallulah’s still smarting from the embarrassment of her cheesy Ritz ad, leaving her unmotivated to keep going with whatever new ideas Maia puts in front of her.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Luxury Retail Remade Saks Global might have started off 2025 in a hole, with many vendors smarting over money still owed for past orders and reluctant to ship fresh goods to the retailer, but the trends have been getting better.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2025
Simashev was smarting and vulnerable.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarting
Adjective
-
Much like the days getting longer and the air less biting, a sure harbinger that spring is coming is the 33rd annual West Suburban Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Naperville.—
Annie Alleman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
As the nation bonded as one over the past two weeks biting nails, screaming at wins, wincing at crashes and choking up at all the beautiful moments of Olympic competition, another group of athletes were – and still are – out honing their multi-level championship skills.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some of the first signs of Lyme disease include mild fever, joint aches, muscle pain, fatigue and headache.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
-
When to see a doctor Ashamalla stressed that people shouldn’t be frightened by every ache or pain.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At this point, my knees were already aching.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
12 Apr. 2026
-
There are still some spots in the Memphis area that don't have a Tops, and for fans who are aching for closer locations, a 20th restaurant and beyond isn’t out the question.—
Jacob Wilt,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The death toll is now declining after years of bitter experience.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The bitter war led to a match Sunday night at WrestleMania 42.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Limited research suggests drinking turmeric milk a few days after a workout may reduce muscle soreness.—
Megan Nunn,
Verywell Health,
23 Apr. 2026
-
His hip ached with soreness, his right ankle left bruised as his rehabilitation process stalled longer than anticipated as the Lakers cleared the drawing board.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With less threat of high inflation hurting the economy, a sustained drop in oil prices could convince the Federal Reserve to resume its cuts to interest rates to help the economy.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
My head was hurting really bad.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That level of support marks a sharp escalation from previous efforts.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Kirby said that an impromptu office nap is his trick to staying sharp over his decades-long career in business.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At a recent sleepover, my 15-year-old son and his 14-year-old friend Charlie, driven by a pang of nostalgia, chose to watch the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics on YouTube.—
Luba Kassova,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
What Brooks proffers is not the philosophy these queries require but a kind of pharmacology—a pill designed to alleviate every last pang.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarting. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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