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
Relevance
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
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
Democrats are still smarting from the initial round of the redistricting wars that kicked off last year.
—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
8 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
The centers are also smarting from the expiration of $23 million in general fund dollars that were approved in 2022, according to Janelle Melohn with the National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers.
—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
5 May 2026
Shoppers are already smarting from financial strain, analysts from Edward Jones and EY-Parthenon said.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Soon, Goodwin began out-smarting his family.
—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
Democrats are still smarting from the initial round of the redistricting wars that kicked off last year.
—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
8 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
The centers are also smarting from the expiration of $23 million in general fund dollars that were approved in 2022, according to Janelle Melohn with the National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers.
—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
5 May 2026
Shoppers are already smarting from financial strain, analysts from Edward Jones and EY-Parthenon said.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Soon, Goodwin began out-smarting his family.
—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarting
Adjective
-
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.
-
So Google isn’t trying to release more biting mosquitoes into neighborhoods.
Noun
-
Perhaps second only to getting sunburned through your favorite white dress, the greatest casualty of summer fashion is the aches and pains brought on by your cutest but least supportive shoes.
-
Good posture helps prevent aches in the back, neck and shoulders, reduces joint wear and lowers the risk of sports injuries, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Verb
-
But after a long day on the slopes, your aching limbs might need a cooldown, which is where the home’s sizable indoor pool comes in.
-
The band's retro-modern blend of sierreño and corridos tumbados put a next-gen spin on traditional Mexican music, layering Pedro's aching vocals over lush arrangements of acoustic guitar and soulful horns.
Adjective
-
Losing to a rival is bad enough, but how the defeat unfolded is sure to leave a bitter taste in the mouth of one of the greatest strikers ever.
-
The empty hotels have now become a bitter symbol of the collapse of an industry once seen as key to Cuba’s economic future.
Noun
-
Royals star Salvador Perez missed Thursday’s game with soreness in his right elbow.
-
Proponents say the workout’s minimal movements, like short sets of squats and lifting light weights, leave them with soreness but also increase their muscle.
Verb
-
Paul’s words have proven prescient during the first few days of Wimbledon, where players losing their footing and either hurting themselves or not is as perennial as the strawberries and cream.
-
Running Footwear Sector Paces Up Indeed, many major footwear brands have spent recent years clearing excess inventory through heavy discounting, hurting margins and diluting brand equity.
Adjective
-
In addition to the sharp shape, the coffee brown shade gives the bag a more elevated feel.
-
During male puberty, rising testosterone drives the cartilage to grow forward and meet at a sharper angle, while simultaneously lengthening the vocal folds and vocal tract housed just behind it.
Noun
-
When its inevitable end arrives, the sun’s core will exhaust the last traces of hydrogen fuel and kick off the first stellar death pangs.
-
Kanaal is king for indulging elevenses hunger pangs, providing cakes, cookies, tea, coffee, and made-to-order traditional Dutch sweets including stroopwafles and puffertjes.
Cite this Entry
“Smarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarting. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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