1
as in speck
a very small piece
she left only a bit of the broccoli on her plate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in piece
a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete
bits of cookie scattered on the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in little
a very small amount
I'll have only a bit of food right now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in while
an indefinite but usually short period of time
this will only take a bit
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
6
as in treat
something that is pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury
wielding silver trays, the servers offered partygoers a variety of exotic-looking bits
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in edge
a harsh or sharp quality
the fall winds had a real bite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mouthful
a small piece or quantity of food
had only a bite to eat before rushing off
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness
weather with a bite that suggested winter was right around the corner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
informal + sometimes impolite
as in to erode
to consume or wear away gradually
the waves were biting at the sand castle I had worked so hard on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to chew
to crush or grind with the teeth
she tends to bite on her pencils when she thinks hard
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 bit
Max Saltman, CNN, 18 Feb. 2025
And Richard always made his shirt stand, which is the sort of bit that the collar then comes off of, very deep.
—Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025
Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2025
The adjacent towns of Glacier and Deming feel less like tourist hubs and more like actual towns—with savory bites at Gunners Tex Mex BBQ and North Fork Brewery, and plenty of character-rich Airbnb and Vrbo listings.
—Miles Howard, AFAR Media, 6 Feb. 2025
Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
In one particular case, the family dog ran past a single mom attempting to get her kids out the door and bit a person in the hallway.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bit 
Noun
One of those rare attacks occurred just two years ago in 2023, when a shark bit a snorkeling American woman.
—Max Saltman, CNN, 18 Feb. 2025
And Richard always made his shirt stand, which is the sort of bit that the collar then comes off of, very deep.
—Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
Top 5 Most Popular Super Bowl Snacks & Foods
Super Bowl food traditions vary from full plates to quick bites.
—Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2025
The adjacent towns of Glacier and Deming feel less like tourist hubs and more like actual towns—with savory bites at Gunners Tex Mex BBQ and North Fork Brewery, and plenty of character-rich Airbnb and Vrbo listings.
—Miles Howard, AFAR Media, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
The Lions’ plethora of defensive injuries bit them last week against the Bills.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
In one particular case, the family dog ran past a single mom attempting to get her kids out the door and bit a person in the hallway.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bit
Articles Related to bit
Thesaurus Entries Near bit
Cite this Entry
“Bit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bit. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share