Synonyms

stabbing

American

[stab-ing] / ˈstæb ɪŋ /

adjective

penetrating; piercing.

a stabbing pain.
emotionally wounding.

a stabbing remark.
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.

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 • Mar. 26, 2026

He was found near USC, around 15 miles from the scene of the stabbing, the source said.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2025

Hollywood often depicts the office as a shark tank, with ruthless colleagues stabbing backs, stepping over others or selling their souls to get to the top.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

Aleix Febas fired the hosts ahead before Dean Huijsen levelled for the league leaders, with Bellingham stabbing home from close range after Alvaro Rodriguez blasted Elche back in front.

From Barron's • Nov. 23, 2025

Hot, stabbing pain shot through my wrist, and I turned it over to see Anansi’s adinkra glowing orange-red.

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia

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