1
2
as in to pluck
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
swindlers who sting unwary tourists by posing as officials demanding money
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in scam
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
2
as in tingle
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of sting
Luke Smith, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Even though the defeat stings, all the Hurricanes’ goals are still there for the taking.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Those examples included a federal drug sting case, a felony assault conviction, crashes resulting in fatalities and the death of a child struck by a fire truck.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sting
Verb
But Saturday in Austin stung McLaren greatly, as a melee at Turn 1 ended with its drivers touching and retiring, opening the door for Verstappen to make the maximum sprint win gain.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Even though the defeat stings, all the Hurricanes’ goals are still there for the taking.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
And man, have the eight consecutive losses to New Orleans carried a significant sting.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Those examples included a federal drug sting case, a felony assault conviction, crashes resulting in fatalities and the death of a child struck by a fire truck.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sting
Verb
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At least the climactic pandemonium has some of that old REC intensity; Plaza dynamically orchestrates the violence, dazzling the eyes of his audience one minute, gouging the eyes of his characters the next.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
3 Oct. 2025
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Ella’s son is now 7 and sometimes traipses downstairs to gouge his grandparents’ cereal collection.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Pieces from Stock are often plucked by stylists for celebrity editorials for Vanity Fair, Esquire and GQ.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
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This faux Dunhill Fir is designed to look and feel like a tree plucked straight off the lot, without the single-season lifespan or mess of shedding needles.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Ny-Quasia Mazzola was wanted by the Panama City Police Department in connection with the scam, according to authorities.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
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In October 2024, the arrest of prominent Cambodian journalist Mech Dara, who helped expose the human trafficking fueling online scam centers, prompted widespread international concern.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Unless your skin is very sensitive, Reedle Shot 100 is a great entry point into spicule serums, offering a 100/1,000 microneedle intensity—enough for that signature tingle without overwhelming heat.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
8 Oct. 2025
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The microcurrent added a barely-there tingle, and the red light gave the session an almost meditative vibe.—
Francesca Krempa,
StyleCaster,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The release came as the Ciattarelli campaign tried to raise questions about whether Sherrill was involved in a cheating scandal during her time in Annapolis in the early 1990s.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
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The documents included disciplinary information and reportedly showed that Sherrill was barred from walking at her 1994 graduation after refusing to inform on classmates involved in a cheating scandal.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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George Matysik, executive director of Share Food Program, a Philadelphia food bank, told USA TODAY that food banks are already squeezed by federal funding cuts.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
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Then, squeeze your Magic Eraser a few times to activate the foaming bubbles.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This 2023 docuseries centers on the Murdaughs, South Carolina's illustrious legal dynasty, whose members were tied to multiple homicides, financial fraud and other alleged crimes.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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According to the State Department, altered passports are among the most common types of passport fraud.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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The most common symptoms of flu include fever, headache, cough, sore throat and muscle aches.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sting. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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