sting

1 of 2

verb

ˈstiŋ 

stung ˈstəŋ  ; stinging ˈstiŋ-iŋ 

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

got stung on that deal

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

stingingly

ˈstiŋ-iŋ-lē 

adverb

sting

2 of 2

noun

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

Apply wet baking soda to the sting.

When you get the shot, you'll feel a little sting.

2

: stinger sense 2

3

: a sharp or stinging element, force, or quality

The hiring manager's kind words took some of the sting out of being rejected for the job.

4

: an elaborate confidence game

specifically : such a game worked by undercover police in order to trap criminals

Synonyms of sting

Verb

• gouge
• cheat
• overcharge
• surcharge

Noun

• tingle
• ache
• pain
• pang

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

As a young Black woman, the betrayal stung as much as a rejection by any guy. — Sarah Jones, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026

The bugs, particularly ticks, ants, mosquitoes and stinging insects, are going to take full advantage thanks to warmer temperatures, according to the National Pest Management Associations (NPMA)'s biannual Bug Barometer®. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Noun

York, 45, was arrested Sunday in the prostitution sting, initially facing misdemeanor charges of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Liverpool equalise twice, the second a late penalty which carries a familiar sting, but Newcastle look the more rounded team, breaking with urgency, even though Matthias Jaissle, Howe’s replacement, has only been in the role for three weeks. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sting

• sting for

Rhymes for sting

• bing
• bring
• ching
• cling
• ding
• fling
• ging
• hing
• jing
• kling
• ling
• ming

Kids Definition

sting

1 of 2 verb

ˈstiŋ 

stung ˈstəŋ  ; stinging ˈstiŋ-iŋ 

1

a

: to prick painfully especially with a sharp or poisonous stinger

stung by a bee

b

: to affect with or feel quick piercing pain or smart

hail stung their faces

2

: to cause to suffer mentally

stung with regret

3

: overcharge sense 1, cheat

got stung on the deal

4

: to use a stinger

bees sting

sting

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: the act of stinging

b

: a wound or pain caused by or as if by stinging

2

: stinger sense 2

stingless

ˈstiŋ-ləs

adjective

Medical Definition

sting

1 of 2 verb

ˈstiŋ 

stung ˈstəŋ  ; stinging ˈstiŋ-iŋ 

transitive verb

: to prick painfully: as

a

: to pierce or wound with a poisonous or irritating process

b

: to affect with sharp quick pain

intransitive verb

: to feel or cause a keen burning pain or smart

the injection stung

sting

2 of 2 noun

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 sense 1

Legal Definition

sting

noun

: an elaborate confidence game

specifically : such a game worked by undercover police in order to catch criminals