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 aching
to feel or cause physical pain
the injection only smarted for a moment
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in ache
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smarting
Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
But DeSantis is still smarting after Donalds backed Trump over him in the last Republican presidential primary.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarting
Adjective
-
The characters have this sharp, biting, British humor.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
-
There’s Bud the biting cat, played by a feline named Tonic and who deserves a three-picture deal.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The sole has Skechers’ GogaMat technology, which provides support and bounce that prevents feet from aching.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Part of her had always felt an aching imposter syndrome and a difficulty controlling her emotions.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Because sometimes, the slow erosion of a relationship isn’t caused by infidelity at all, but by the quiet ache of a partner who gives just enough to get by.—
Essence,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Flu symptoms can include aches, cough, fatigue, fever, headache, sore throat and a stuffy or runny nose, according to the CDC.—
Sara Schilling,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Parsley is a biennial that quickly bolts and dies the second year, and since second-year parsley is bitter, it’s typically grown as an annual.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Whenever these bitter rivals have met in recent years, there has never been a shortage of offense.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On the other hand, leaving rates too high could overly restrict spending and hiring, hurting the economy.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
-
But the addition of so many people had the unwanted consequence of sending home prices in these markets through the roof, hurting locals' ability to buy.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After treatment, mild soreness or sensitivity is common for a few days as the surrounding tissues heal.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Remember that cognitive difficulty often signals growth, just as physical soreness after exercise indicates muscle development.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Starring Kaitlin Olson as Morgan Gillory, a single mother whose genius-level IQ lands her a consulting role with the LAPD, the series blends sharp humor with high-stakes investigations.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Slices of lusciously marbled brisket have a sharp, peppery bark, and the pork ribs are tinged pink with smoke straight down to the bone.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After all, who wants to feel the pangs of self-doubt, anxiety, or chronic stress?—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
But honestly, for me at least, there were also pangs of a quite familiar feeling: mom guilt.—
Sona Charaipotra,
Parents,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarting. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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