sting

²sting

noun

Definition of STING

1

a : the act of stinging; specifically : the thrust of a stinger into the flesh b : a wound or pain caused by or as if by stinging

2

: stinger 2

3

: a sharp or stinging element, force, or quality

4

: an elaborate confidence game; specifically : such a game worked by undercover police in order to trap criminals

Examples of STING

1. When you get the shot, you'll feel a little sting.
2. His arm was covered with bee stings.
3. They were caught in a drug sting.
4. a sting operation by police

First Known Use of STING

before 12th century

Related to STING

Synonyms: bunco (or bunko), con, fiddle [chiefly British], flimflam, gyp, hustle, scam, shell game, fraud, swindle

Related Words: cross, fix; Ponzi scheme, pyramid scheme; racket, rip-off; thimblerig, three-card monte; device, dodge, gimmick, jig, ploy, scheme, sleight, stratagem, trick, wile; gouging, overcharging, soaking; counterfeit, fake, forgery, hoax, humbug, phony (also phoney), sham

Near Antonyms: comfort, ease, easiness

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine