biting

adjective

bit·​ing ˈbī-tiŋ 

: having the power to bite

a biting wind

especially : able to grip and impress deeply

a biting wit

bitingly

ˈbī-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• bitter
• cutting
• keen
• penetrating
• piercing
• raw
• sharp
• shrewd
• smarting
• stinging

Examples of biting in a Sentence

a biting wind that only the toughest football fans were willing to endure

the biting comments by the pundits about the government's inaction

Recent Examples on the Web

The sketch seemed to be SNL’s attempt to balance the cold open’s levity with a more biting tone about the wearying stakes of deciding the nation’s leadership. —Amanda Wicks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2024

Will Ari craft a biting lyric finally addressing it? —Catherine Santino, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024

Contrast exists too in the film’s objective as by turns sincere and biting satire, much to the chagrin of critic Roger Ebert, who panned the film in a one-star review upon its release. —Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024

Think of Yellowstone’s backcountry as nature’s answer to the U.S. House of Representatives, only with slightly more biting and scratching. —Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing biting

• biting louse
• biting midge
• crib biting

Kids Definition

biting

adjective

bit·​ing ˈbīt-iŋ 

: causing bodily or mental distress : sharp, cutting

biting wit

a biting cold