smarting 1 of 3

adjective

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

smarting

2 of 3

noun

as in ache

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Dissimilar Words

smarting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of smart
as in aching
to feel or cause physical pain the injection only smarted for a moment

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of smarting
Verb
The Irish, who have a Heisman candidate in quarterback CJ Carr, bring a 10-game winning streak into the season and still are smarting from being left out of the playoff. — Eric Olson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026 Other than dispirited Red Sox fans still smarting over the ’75 World Series, nobody really hated those Reds. — Steve Buckley, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 After all, some in the party are still smarting about the 2008 presidential primary and more than a few are still stammering about the 2016 one. — Philip Elliott, Time, 3 Aug. 2026 The 90-6 vote showed lawmakers are still smarting from the two historic shutdowns that occurred this past year and want to avoid another before voters go to the polls. — Kevin Freking, Arkansas Online, 28 July 2026 Michelle, who is smarting from Jesse and Lacy’s visible affection, decides to go full Coyote Ugly on the bar. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 July 2026 But, the West Germans looked like dogs chasing cars as the swift Algerians, smarting from the Germans’ strutting arrogance, flowed to a 2-1 upset at Gijón that brought appreciation for Algeria’s audacity and artistry. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026 The French, still smarting from the Treaty of Paris, did not. — Literary Hub, 26 May 2026 Underlying tensions are taut, Iran thinks the US blockade is a violation, the UAE is still smarting from Iranian missile attacks Monday and Tuesday, and Israel is torching a key plank of the ceasefire deal, re-escalating in Lebanon by bombing Hezbollah leaders. — Jennifer Hansler, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarting
  1. biting
  2. ache
  3. aching
  4. bitter
  5. soreness
  6. hurting
  7. sharp
  8. pang
Adjective
  • The pacing is more frenetic, the narration more biting, the flashbacks more jarring, and the comedowns much harsher.
    — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026
Definition of biting
Noun
  • Building balance and strength in a few key areas of the body may help ease common aches.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Still playing through the aches accumulated over thousands of innings spent in a crouched position.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of ache
Verb
  • Green lasers shot out into the crowd, revealing the faces of fans who’d waited all night on aching feet to see their favorites.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The 49ers have been aching to develop a draftee into a star, and Stribling might be their best shot since drafting Purdy in 2022.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of aching
Adjective
  • Trump has declined so far to endorse a successor, opting to keep his cards close ahead of what’s likely to be a bitter race.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
  • If more than a small portion is green, or the potato smells off, feels soft, or tastes bitter after cooking, discard it.
    — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of bitter
Noun
  • One guy is facing Triple-A pitching, and the other is managing lingering wrist soreness.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Kansas City right fielder Jac Caglianone was scratched from the lineup due to ankle soreness.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of soreness
Verb
  • Recent polling shows that high pump prices are driving down presidential approval and hurting Republicans ahead of the midterm elections.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Any increase to interest rates that could cool inflation also risks hurting the jobs market.
    — Damian J. Troise, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of hurting
Adjective
  • These critters may look cute and cuddly, but their sharp claws are anything but.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Domagal-Goldman compared Roman’s capabilities to capturing an all-encompassing view of a forest as well as seeing sharp details of its trees, like leaves and birds, all at the same time.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of sharp
Noun
  • Statements by government lawyers that contradict the official White House line are not merely the results of pangs of conscience.
    — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
  • Curtin admits to feeling a small pang when a guest drinks only water throughout the meal.
    — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of pang

Browse Nearby Words

smarties
smarting
smartly
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Cite this Entry

“Smarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarting. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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