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

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

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