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
Yet Eli Drinkwitz’s team could be a tough out during its SEC home opener, still smarting from a 31-24 loss at Mississippi State after leading 24-17 entering the fourth quarter. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026 Baltimore fans are still smarting over rookie kicker Tyler Loop’s missed potential game-winning field goal in Week 18. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Alonso hit another home run against his former team Wednesday night, sparking another important win for the late-charging Orioles and earning himself another ovation from New York Mets fans still smarting over his departure last December. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026 On that particular day, Chiefs fans were still smarting after their team had wrapped up a 2-14 season just 48 hours earlier by being pummeled by the Broncos 38-3 in Denver. — Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026 A couple of months have passed since the meetup, but the organizers are still smarting from the fallout. — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarting
  1. biting
  2. ache
  3. aching
  4. bitter
  5. soreness
  6. hurting
  7. sharp
  8. pang
Adjective
  • Her version is louder and more biting, but never at the sacrifice of the track’s spirit.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In 2022, Lee County’s Mosquito Control District decided to try aiming radiation at mosquitoes instead, specifically the biting, disease-carrying kind — Aedes aegypti.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of biting
Noun
  • Some parents may be more lenient than others on the candy indulgence, but Arnaout says setting limits is important to avoid children getting stomach aches or nausea.
    — Lina Ruiz October 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Flu symptoms may include fever, chills, a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue or gastrointestinal issues, such as vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of ache
Verb
  • From there Bryan launches into an aching meditation on the water-rush of time with this building, inspired by his new Manhattan home, at the center.
    — Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Symptoms can include leg heaviness, aching, swelling, throbbing and itching, Stoughton said.
    — Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of aching
Adjective
  • The second episode will examine her interventions on Scottish independence, feminism, free speech, and gender identity, which place her at the heart of increasingly bitter online exchanges.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The incident inspired multiple memorial meme coins, forensic scrutiny of video footage, and bitter anti-Waymo sentiment.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of bitter
Noun
  • To them, tech neck describes the stiffness, soreness and muscle fatigue that come from holding your head forward or down for long periods.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas was held out after leaving Tuesday night’s 3-1 win during an at-bat in the eighth inning with lower back soreness.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of soreness
Verb
  • The nationwide high school protest movement — over deteriorating school buildings, teacher shortages, and inequalities hurting schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods — has energized young voters, who may prove key to the election outcome.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The difference could be former Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki, who figures to play a more prominent role in the passing game with the Bengals hurting at wide receiver.
    — Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of hurting
Adjective
  • Aldabra’s landscape consists of sharp coral and thick, tangled vegetation.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The continuing tremors represented a sharp increase from the more than 47 aftershocks reported by Rivera during a Friday afternoon news conference.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of sharp
Noun
  • Dining in the lounge is available all day to cater to international hunger pangs that don’t follow the same schedule as those of Spaniards.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The sound is practically deafening, a loud metallic pang that cuts through the forest’s thick foliage.
    — Taylor Mitchell Brown, New York Times, 3 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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