sting

verb

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\ ˈstiŋ

stung\ ˈstəŋ

\; stinging\ ˈstiŋ-iŋ

Definition of sting

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to prick painfully: such 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

noun

Definition of sting (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : 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 sense 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

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Other Words from sting Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing sting Learn More About sting

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Synonyms & Antonyms for sting

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun

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

Antonyms: Verb

undercharge

Examples of sting in a Sentence

Verb I got stung by a bee. The jellyfish stung the swimmer. The bees will sting if you bother them. The iodine will sting for a few minutes. The cold rain stung my eyes. The smoke made our eyes sting. She was stung by their harsh criticism. Noun When you get the shot, you'll feel a little sting. His arm was covered with bee stings. They were caught in a drug sting. a sting operation by police See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Link had already been identified by the Tribune as the unnamed senator who wore a wire on then-state Rep. Luis Arroyo of Chicago as part of an FBI sting -- a case that led to Arroyo’s resignation and conviction on bribery charges. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2022 Legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday spent much of her career being adored across the globe all while being targeted in an undercover sting operation lead by the Federal Department of Narcotics. — Chaise Sanders, Country Living, 13 May 2022 Garbin walked the jury through several meetings the group had in the months before their October 2020 arrest in an FBI sting, as well as his initial connection with Fox. — Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 23 Mar. 2022 Among seven people arrested in a multi-agency child pornography sting this week was a youth minister who Floyd County police say was actively victimizing a child in his care and creating explicit videos. — John Bailey, ajc, 11 Mar. 2022 In the latest sting over the weekend, authorities arrested Morrell Godbolt, Anthony Bullard, Buddy Berry Jr., Hezekiah Brown and Divine Scott. — Tori B. Powell, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2022 When a Las Vegas businessman tried to bribe him to support new gambling devices, Mr. Reid participated in an FBI sting that sent the man to prison. — Washington Post, 29 Dec. 2021 Ryan Allen, a Pennsylvania police officer who suffered a rare reaction to a bee sting last year, has died, the Hatboro Police Department announced on Thursday. — Mary Ellen Cagnassola, PEOPLE.com, 8 Apr. 2022 The 42-year-old was one of three deputies who fired more than 30 shots at a young Black man who ran away from a drug sting while armed during a 2019 case that was later criticized as excessive use of force. — oregonlive, 1 Feb. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The sting of letting the game slip lingered into the defending champions’ news conference. — James Kay, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2022 Two of those men who got arrested in the sting were co-defendants Ty Garbin and Kaleb Franks. — Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2022 The authorities have not released the other men’s names caught in the sting. — Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 6 Apr. 2022 Utah authorities have arrested 21 individuals involved in a large-scale human trafficking sting. — Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2022 Rachel DeLoache Williams, who alleged she was swindled out of more than $60,000 by Delvey during a trip to Marrakesh, was involved in the sting. — Emily Burack, Town & Country, 13 Feb. 2022 Lost in the sting of Saturday’s loss to Miami’s in-state rival is that wide receiver Charleston Rambo continued to climb UM’s records books. — Khobi Price, sun-sentinel.com, 15 Nov. 2021 Kerrville Police, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety assisted in the sting. — Taylor Pettaway, San Antonio Express-News, 8 Nov. 2021 Those caught in the sting are likely feeling quite foolish now. — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 12 June 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sting.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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