Smarting and Stinging

Smarting

Smarting adjective - Causing intense discomfort to one's skin.
Usage example: we had to press on, despite the smarting sleet that was blowing in our faces

Stinging is a synonym for smarting in painful topic. In some cases you can use "Stinging" instead the word "Smarting" as an adjective or a noun.

Nearby Words: smartness, smarted

Stinging

Stinging adjective - Causing intense discomfort to one's skin.
Usage example: these cold, stinging winds are not just a discomfort—they can be dangerous to exposed flesh

Smarting is a synonym for stinging. You can use "Smarting" instead the word "Stinging" as an adjective or a noun.

Nearby Words: sting, stingy, stinger
Cite this Source
Stinging and Smarting. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/smarting/stinging
Smarting & Stinging. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/smarting/stinging>.
Stinging or Smarting. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/smarting/stinging.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "smarting" and "stinging" have occurred on timeline