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.

Earlier, Pep Guardiola's City went into their match against bottom side smarting after an embarrassing 3-1 Champions League defeat at Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 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

Malfoy was still smarting about the mud-throwing incident in Hogsmeade and was even more furious that Harry had somehow wormed his way out of punishment.

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling

smarting

Example Sentences

Related Words