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Synonyms

stabbing

American  
[stab-ing] / ˈstæb ɪŋ /

adjective

  1. penetrating; piercing.

    a stabbing pain.

  2. emotionally wounding.

    a stabbing remark.

  3. incisive or trenchant.

    a stabbing, satirical phrase.

Other Word Forms

  • stabbingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of stabbing

First recorded in 1590–1600; stab + -ing 2

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.

I do my best to ignore Dad’s stabbing eyes and focus on Gran.

From Literature

Katja Snoeijs realised something was wrong when she felt "stabbing" pains and was forced off at half-time against West Ham last season.

From BBC

The students are upset with M, her colleagues say, while stabbing her in the back.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Debatable,” he said, stabbing another piece of egg onto his fork.

From Literature

“When I tried to say hello, she looked truly alarmed. There was no snarling or slashing or stabbing. But there was fear in her eyes. I think she’s shy.”

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.