1
as in scams
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
the pawn shop operation turned out to be a sting by undercover police officers to catch the ring of burglars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in pains
a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body
the sting of cold air against my face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in gouges
to charge (someone) too much for goods or services
a nightclub that's been stinging patrons for years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in plucks
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
swindlers who sting unwary tourists by posing as officials demanding money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stings
Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Barring RidgeRunner from the chamber has relatively few real-world implications, but the rejection’s symbolism stings.
—David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
The Barkov injury stings, but Finland will be ready for Milan.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Trujillo further noted that such stings closely resemble tactics used in the past decade by Port Authority police, who settled a class action lawsuit over similar arrests in 2022, promising to end plainclothes bathroom patrols and step up sensitivity training.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 24 Sep. 2025
About 20 million Americans have food allergies, and 225 people die every year from anaphylaxis after severe reactions to food, insect stings or bites, medications or other substances.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Bites can cause regional discomfort and redness, similar to bee stings.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
For researchers, the dismantling of the birthplace of climate modeling stings.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
That’s where the rollback on compensation rules stings.
—AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
But for Hovland, the lingering frustration of missing Sunday singles and watching Harris English sit out for no fault of his own still stings.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Still, losing out on more seasons of Zoë Kravitz playing a lovably bisexual mess navigating New York City particularly stings.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 3 Oct. 2025
The right to due process is enshrined in both the federal and Massachusetts Constitutions, so any accusation otherwise stings.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
The first mozzie of the evening stings my arm.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
But this kind of comment often stings.
—Time, 26 Aug. 2025
Losing stings more than winning pleases.
—Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The memory of that second defeat against Mount Carmel still stings.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
Contractors Winston Semple and Glendon Simpson sustained multiple stings amid the attack, the outlets reported, citing the Guyana Police Force.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Barring RidgeRunner from the chamber has relatively few real-world implications, but the rejection’s symbolism stings.
—David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
The Barkov injury stings, but Finland will be ready for Milan.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Trujillo further noted that such stings closely resemble tactics used in the past decade by Port Authority police, who settled a class action lawsuit over similar arrests in 2022, promising to end plainclothes bathroom patrols and step up sensitivity training.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 24 Sep. 2025
About 20 million Americans have food allergies, and 225 people die every year from anaphylaxis after severe reactions to food, insect stings or bites, medications or other substances.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Bites can cause regional discomfort and redness, similar to bee stings.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
For researchers, the dismantling of the birthplace of climate modeling stings.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
That’s where the rollback on compensation rules stings.
—AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
Even though the defeat stings, all the Hurricanes’ goals are still there for the taking.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
But for Hovland, the lingering frustration of missing Sunday singles and watching Harris English sit out for no fault of his own still stings.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Still, losing out on more seasons of Zoë Kravitz playing a lovably bisexual mess navigating New York City particularly stings.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 3 Oct. 2025
The right to due process is enshrined in both the federal and Massachusetts Constitutions, so any accusation otherwise stings.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
The first mozzie of the evening stings my arm.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
But this kind of comment often stings.
—Time, 26 Aug. 2025
Losing stings more than winning pleases.
—Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The memory of that second defeat against Mount Carmel still stings.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stings
Noun
-
More than 60 South Korean nationals were deported from Cambodia and police are seeking to detain most of them over allegations they were involved in online scams.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
-
This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The movie takes pains to illustrate how the possible end of the world will begin like any other day.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Colleagues who failed to take similar pains earned his everlasting disdain.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In 2017, he was recalled after backing the $5 billion yearly gas tax that still gouges at the pump.—
John Seiler,
Oc Register,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The dog jumps up and plucks the burger from her—a move that left viewers stunned and amused by the canine's flawless execution.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
-
There may be even greater reasons to put an ad that plucks the heartstrings in front of a broader crowd.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And now, one such creation slithers, squeezes, and twists through the narrowest corners.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The surgeon withdraws the balloon and then squeezes the implant in through a sterile funnel before closing the incision.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Elderly consumers, who might seek gentle relief for aches or the comfort of a familiar ritual, are left stranded.—
Jahan Marcu,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The most common symptoms of flu include fever, headache, cough, sore throat and muscle aches.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While everyone else hustles about, the sloth knows that in slowness there is safety and success.—
Kate Siber,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Linda hustles the two of them to a nearby motel whose only employees are a surly young goth attendant (a glowering Ivy Wolk) and a sympathetic, mildly flirty super (A$AP Rocky, laidback and breezy).—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These pangs are only compounded by the cliffhanger that concluded Season 2, in which President William Rayburn (Michael McKean) suffered a fatal heart attack and elevated his vice president, Grace Penn (Allison Janney), to the top of the call sheet.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Sharp cracks of gunfire pierced the morning air, loud, jarring pangs that echoed off the concrete.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stings. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share