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
  • But when Afrikaners began to take a serious interest in Mr. Trump’s refugee program, the biting remarks were unleashed.
    Zimasa Matiwane, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Many people with babesiosis don’t feel sick or have symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but some may experience flu-like symptoms such as a fever, chills, sweating, body aches, appetite loss, nausea or fatigue.
    Natalie Jones, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025
  • Symptoms include persistent fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, headaches, brain fog, shortness of breath and difficulty sleeping, per the Virginia Department of Health.
    Tess DeMeyer, New York Times, 21 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
Adjective
  • Right after that, Kansas will face bitter rival Missouri at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Dec. 7.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
  • Like every other entrepreneur, Ian had to face bitter betrayal from people who once believed in his vision.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • The chip companies have recovered their sharp losses from earlier this year amid worries their stock prices had shot too high.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
  • Visual China Group | Getty Images China's manufacturing activity in May shrank at its fastest pace since September 2022, a private survey showed Tuesday, as a sharper decline in new export orders highlighted the impact of prohibitive U.S. tariffs.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • But my heart – and stomach – no longer feel that pang of homesickness because this year, my husband figured out how to bring the crawfish boil to the Rocky Mountains, with help from the Louisiana Crawfish Company.
    Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 19 May 2025
  • Keeping Jesse at a distance, his face and other distinguishing features out of frame, allows the viewer to remember when Joel was able to come to Ellie’s aid, and seeing Jesse’s entrance from her vantage point provides a little pang of grief-tinged nostalgia.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 May 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
  • If her body isn’t always willing, her mind and her heart are still keen on the sport, so Press makes her most valuable contributions now in the quiet of the locker room.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
  • According to insiders, Ahuja still believes in Rothman and wasn’t keen on a big shake-up, not when the studio has momentum, is profitable and is about to undertake the ambitious and risky move of releasing all four of Sam Mendes’ Beatles films in April 2028.
    Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 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 10 Jun. 2025.

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