sting

¹sting

verb \ˈstiŋ\

stung\ˈstəŋ\sting·ing\ˈstiŋ-iŋ\

Definition of STING

transitive verb

1

: to prick painfully: as a : to pierce or wound with a poisonous or irritating process b : to affect with sharp quick pain or smart <hail stung their faces>

2

: to cause to suffer acutely <stung with remorse>

3

: overcharge, cheat

intransitive verb

1

: to wound one with or as if with a sting

2

: to feel a keen burning pain or smart; also : to cause such pain

— sting·ing·ly \-iŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of STING

1. I got stung by a bee.
2. The jellyfish stung the swimmer.
3. The bees will sting if you bother them.
4. The iodine will sting for a few minutes.
5. The cold rain stung my eyes.
6. The smoke made our eyes sting.
7. She was stung by their harsh criticism.

Origin of STING

Middle English, from Old English stingan; akin to Old Norse stinga to sting and probably to Greek stachys spike of grain, stochos target, aim

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to STING

Synonyms: gouge, soak, overcharge, surcharge

Antonyms: undercharge

Related Words: cheat, defraud, stick; clip, fleece, skin; mischarge

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with STING

bring, Ching, cling, ding, fling, king, ling, Ming, ping, ring, sing, sling, spring, string, swing, thing, wing, wring, zing