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Glite Dictionary
to bite out

to bite out

1 7.5
Say something suddenly and sharply when angry or annoyed
  • phrasal verb
  • /baɪt aʊt/
  • Informal
: gritar
  • "You can't just ignore me!" she bit out, clearly irritated by his indifference.

Examples

  • "Don't you dare speak to me like that!" she bit out, her voice sharp with anger.

  • "Save your gratitude," she bit out.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • And so he like, takes a bite out of her, like gives her a little chomp on the neck.

  • After hearing the rude comment, he bit out, "That was uncalled for!"

Synonyms

to snap
vsto bite out
180 4.0

Say something quickly and angrily after losing control

is usually an abrupt harsh spoken remark rather than a wider action
to spit
vsto bite out
  • Informal
173 6.3

To say words quickly and angrily to show strong dislike

is an abrupt harsh remark that may be less contemptuous
to bite
vsto bite out
145 7.7

To reply angrily or sharply, often without warning

is an abrupt harsh spoken remark often showing irritation rather than pure aggression
to bark
vsto bite out
103 4.8

To speak in a short angry voice to give orders

is abrupt and harsh but may express irritation rather than a command
to lash out
vsto bite out
78 5.6

Suddenly say angry things about someone by speaking or writing

is abrupt and harsh but not always a direct attack
to spit out
vsto bite out
  • Informal
59 4.4

To say words quickly and angrily to show dislike

is abrupt and harsh but not always expressed quickly or forcefully
to blurt out
vsto bite out
  • Informal
46 3.9

Say something suddenly without thinking

is abrupt and harsh but usually intentional and anger driven rather than thoughtless
to snarl
vsto bite out
38 5.8

To say something in an angry, sharp voice

is similar but can be harsher and more cutting in meaning
to mouth off
vsto bite out
  • Informal
36 8.3

To speak rudely and loudly to a person in charge

is an abrupt harsh remark but not necessarily rude or loud
to chew out
vsto bite out
  • Informal
25 7.0

Scold someone angrily in front of others

is an abrupt harsh remark that may not be a formal reprimand
piece of someone's mind
vsto bite out
  • Informal
23 7.5

Tell someone angrily that you are unhappy with them

is a short abrupt harsh remark rather than an extended angry speech
to rip someone's head off
vsto bite out
  • Offensive
22 8.5

Shout at someone in a very angry way and threaten them

is a harsh spoken remark but not necessarily extreme or threatening
to chew up
vsto bite out
  • Informal
10 7.1

To scold someone angrily and severely

is similar but can be a single abrupt harsh comment rather than lengthy criticism
to pop off
vsto bite out
  • Informal
8 8.1

To suddenly say something angry without warning

is abrupt and harsh speech but not always a sudden outburst
to bawl out
vsto bite out
  • Informal
8 6.7

Shout loudly at someone because they did something wrong

is usually a short harsh remark rather than a loud public scolding
to rip out
vsto bite out
  • Informal
1 6.9

To say something loudly and angrily

is a harsh abrupt statement often tied specifically to anger or irritation
to shoot off at the mouth
vsto bite out
  • Informal
1 9.4

Say things quickly without thinking that may hurt people or make you sorry later

is harsh and abrupt but usually motivated by anger rather than mere impulsiveness
to snap someone's head off
vsto bite out
  • Offensive
1 8.0

To speak to someone in a sudden angry way without good reason

can be abrupt and harsh but may have clearer irritation background
to eat someone's head off
vsto bite out
  • Informal
1 9.1

To speak angrily to someone and criticize them

is less extreme and can be a single abrupt angry comment
to let out a curse
vsto bite out
  • Offensive
1 6.8

To say a bad word when you feel angry or hurt

is an abrupt harsh spoken remark that often expresses irritation rather than just a single curse
to speak with venom
vsto bite out
1 7.8

Say angry, cruel things about someone

is abrupt and harsh but focuses more on suddenness than bitterness

Antonyms

compliment
300 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

How Harsh

snarl
13 4.9
to shout
690 1.0
to bite out
  • Informal
1 7.5
to snap
180 4.0

Surface Forms

bite out infinitive
biting out present participle
bites out third person singular
bit out past
bitten out past participle

Morphology

bite + out

The verb 'bite' conveys a harsh, attacking reaction which can metaphorically extend to a sharp or abrupt verbal response, so part of the meaning is inferable from the constituent. However, the particle 'out' does not clearly contribute the specific sense 'to say something abruptly' in a predictable way, and the phrasal-verb usage is somewhat metaphorical and must be learned, so the overall expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

The phrase bite out shows a picture of someone 'biting' the words, the idea of bite, and pushing them out quickly so the words sound sharp and short. That's why it means 'to say something abruptly or harshly'.