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.

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smarting

But many businesses—some still smarting from being late to the AI boom—are spending big on the technology today.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Drake is smarting, and he spreads that hurt across more than an hour in the trilogy’s marquee album “Iceman.”

From Salon ● May 21, 2026

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

He is still smarting about the Dodgers’ response, adding “people are still talking about all of that.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2025

Still smarting from Freddy's kick, he pushed his way out of the bushes and limped home.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

smarting

Example Sentences

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