Synonyms of sting

sting 1 of 2

noun

1

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

• tingle
• ache
• pain
• pang
• stitch
• prick
• soreness
• swelling
• twinge
• agony
• shoot
• sore
• discomfort
• tenderness
• suffering
• headache
• hurt
• throe
• anguish
• smart
• distress
• misery
• inflammation
• harm
• injury
• torture
• torment
• damage
• sufferance
• toothache
• detriment
• affliction
• complaint
• backache
• colic
• gripe
• stomachache
• bellyache
• earache
• charley horse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ease
• comfort
• easiness

2

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

• scam
• fraud
• swindle
• shell game
• con
• hoax
• hustle
• scheme
• trick
• device
• flimflam
• bunco
• cross
• fiddle
• racket
• counterfeit
• jig
• gouging
• dodge
• ploy
• fix
• wile
• soaking
• stratagem
• pyramid scheme
• fake
• overcharging
• rip-off
• Ponzi scheme
• sleight
• sham
• gimmick
• forgery
• phony
• three-card monte
• thimblerig
• humbug

sting

2 of 2

verb

ˈstiŋ 

1

as in to gouge

to charge (someone) too much for goods or services

a nightclub that's been stinging patrons for years

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gouge
• cheat
• overcharge
• surcharge
• soak
• defraud
• skin
• stick
• clip
• fleece
• mischarge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undercharge

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

• pluck
• squeeze
• hustle
• cheat
• beat
• stick
• bleed
• screw
• do
• skin
• deceive
• trick
• stiff
• shake down
• swindle
• sucker
• gaff
• short
• victimize
• skunk
• defraud
• hose
• fleece
• rook
• mulct
• shortchange
• ream
• exploit
• flimflam
• chisel
• rip off
• con
• nobble
• cozen
• bilk
• fiddle
• diddle
• take for a ride
• fool
• chouse
• betray
• take to the cleaners
• euchre
• clip
• nick
• gouge
• wrench
• extort
• thimblerig
• sell a bill of goods to
• wring
• soak
• overcharge
• do in
• milk
• wrest
• gull
• dupe
• double-cross
• bitch
• rope (in)
• bamboozle
• fast-talk

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sting

Noun

Of course, the sting was eased somewhat after Erie beat Broomfield the next season, going on to win a 4A title of its own. — Brent New, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2026

Then owner Jed York was arrested in an undercover prostitution sting in Ohio. — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

Democrats, fresh off of stinging losses in the 2024 election up and down the ballot, have rebounded with their voting base and independents unhappy with the status quo. — Stephen Fowler, NPR, 8 Sep. 2026

By mid-morning, bees continued to fly around as city workers did their best to cut the tree without getting stung or agitating the hives any further. — Ross Guidotti, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026