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.

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Other Word Forms

• stabbingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of stabbing

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

Example Sentences

“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

She began stabbing her perfectly manicured nails at her computer keyboard.

From Literature

I started having a stabbing pain in my chest during morning runs, and struggled to breathe deeply.

From The Wall Street Journal

Esan had made unsuccessful attempts to join the Army in the years before the stabbing, the court was told.

From BBC

He served a sentence of two years and eight months for stabbing a teenager and now campaigns to raise awareness about knife crime.

From BBC