SMARTING Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain and discomfort from headaches, body aches and sore throats by reducing inflammation, says Reed.

— Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
The non-invasive form can cause gastrointestinal distress, fever and aches for a few days.

— Eva Flowe October 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of ache

Adjective

In the ensuing decade, lawyers at Texas Instruments and at Fairchild fought a bitter court battle over the patent.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
And as a bitter midterm campaign season enters its final weeks, Bouchon and Goldhirsh understand the stakes.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of bitter

Verb

Things already had been tough internally amid the engagement challenges hurting Netflix’s stock as high-profile series had not performed to expectations and most returning shows have seen viewership declines season-to-season over the past year.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of hurting

Adjective

On its face, however, this inspirational message seems in sharp contrast to economic reality.

— Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Bajaria’s foresight was sharper, investing in local language productions and building up Netflix’s global presence (almost two dozen international offices were opened during Bajaria’s reign).

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 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
Now, the new smaller version is available for hunger pangs between meals as many consumers are replacing traditional meals with snacks throughout the day, according to Datassential.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of pang

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smarties

smarting

smartly

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“Smarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarting. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of smarting

adjective

noun

verb

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