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smarting

ADJECTIVE

painful

Synonyms

STRONG

aching agonizing biting burning caustic distressing excruciating extreme harrowing hurting inflamed irritated nagging piercing raw saddening sensitive sharp sore stinging tender throbbing tormenting trying

WEAK

achy afflictive arduous awful difficult dire disagreeable distasteful dreadful extremely bad grievous hard hurtful laborious severe tedious terrible troublesome uncomfortable unpleasant vexatious

Antonyms

STRONG

bland calm experienced good healthy kind low mild moderate nice pleasant pleasing soothing unfeeling

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ireland come into the match smarting from their 36-14 loss to France in their tournament opener last week.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

Derek Weeks started his search about six months ago, still smarting from last Christmas when he couldn’t secure a reindeer to go with his Santa.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

It clearly left him smarting and he's not had a good word to say about wind power since.

From BBC • Jul. 29, 2025

Americans are still smarting from a surge of food prices in the wake of the pandemic.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2025

Fingers smarting, the shamefaced Taran hurried from the cottage and found Coll near the vegetable garden.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

smarting

Example Sentences

Related Words