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
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But usually the administration official doesn’t fight back in such a biting way.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Over nearly three decades, Baumbach has built a career chronicling families in crisis and artists at the crossroads, his films combining biting wit with an unflinching emotional honesty.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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These symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, confusion, loss of balance or seizures.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Grace appears dazed when others pick up on her ache, and takes a perverse pleasure in Jackson’s struggle to deal with her deteriorating mental health.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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
-
After more than 40 days of uncertainty for our troops, federal workers, Texas families who rely on SNAP, & countless others, Senate Democrats have relented after accomplishing nothing but hurting millions of Americans.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Through a lovely combination of the track layout, cool conditions and a rough track surface hurting the tires, only one of the tire compounds (the medium) actually worked.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In Hyderabad, the jump was even sharper, rising from 8 leadership roles in 2024 to 42 year to date.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The Southeast could also briefly experience blustery winds and a sharp cold snap, with frost or even a hard freeze reaching inland areas as far south as Georgia and the Carolinas by Tuesday morning.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Some detail Lucy’s desperate search for a new refrigerator for her mother-in-law during the height of the war, while others show the pangs of jealousy that come with a new relationship.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
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The friend felt a pang of preëmptive regret.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarting. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
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