smarting
Aching from hurt
Smarting describes a sharp, stinging pain—the kind that burns or prickles rather than throbs: My eyes were smarting from the smoke.
The sensation is typically acute but not deep.
Figuratively, smarting applies to wounded feelings or pride: She was still smarting from the rejection.
The verb smart means to feel this pain; smarting is its present participle used as adjective or gerund.
Causing sharp pain
- burningCombustion in progress
- throbbingRhythmic painful pulsing
- achingExperiencing dull pain
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
tenderness · rawness · irritation · tingling · prickling · sensitivity · inflammation · discomfort
Having sustained harm
- hurtCause or feel pain
- offendedFeeling hurt or disrespected
- resentfulFeeling lingering ill will
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
bruised · aggrieved · stung · insulted · slighted · humiliated · embarrassed · indignant
stinging
Causing sharp pain
soreness · tenderness · rawness · irritation · tingling · prickling · sensitivity · inflammation · discomfort · hurt
wounded
Having sustained harm
bitter · bruised · aggrieved · stung · insulted · slighted · humiliated · embarrassed · indignant · upset
cut
Severance or reduction
abrasion · laceration · welt · bruise · sting · bite · scratch · blister · rash · sunburn
scolding
Harsh verbal criticism
- criticismJudgment of faults
- reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
censure · admonishment · chastisement · rebuff · snub · slight · insult · put-down · rejection · defeat
- smarting offSpeaking disrespectfully to authority