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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of sting
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2025
For Ken Wallace, a grandson of the couple, the memory of the murders still stings.
—Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
Marsh often felt the sting of growing up lower class in Britain’s rigid class hierarchy.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sting
Verb
In recent games, the Kansas City Royals star shortstop has stung the baseball at the plate.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2025
For Ken Wallace, a grandson of the couple, the memory of the murders still stings.
—Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
Canadians are also grappling with the high cost of living, especially an affordable housing crisis – an issue likely to feel the sting of a trade war with the US.
—Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
Marsh often felt the sting of growing up lower class in Britain’s rigid class hierarchy.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sting
Verb
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The roof was scorched black and gouged open to the sky, insulation tufting from the walls.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Tickets for the shows are hard to come by as the band is using a face-value ticket exchange to prevent scalpers from gouging fans on the secondary market.—
Ethan Millman,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The White Sox used it last winter to make a significant addition, plucking right-hander Shane Smith from Milwaukee.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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This seaside haven looks like it was plucked from a mid-century souvenir postcard, but a recent $10-million overhaul by Maine hotelier Tim Harrington has ushered the 89-year-old resort into the modern era.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And just as with banking scams and law enforcement scams, keep in mind that any such proactive approach is a scam.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Aura Cost Plans from $9 to $25 per month, billed annually Standout features Protects against identity theft, financial fraud, spam calls, online theft, scam websites, viruses and malware.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The product glides on smooth like butter and leaves behind a faint cooling tingle.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
17 Apr. 2025
-
That tingle of anxiety will become an old friend, and the feeling of having triumphed over fear will become equally familiar, if not more familiar, than the fear itself.—
Essence,
Essence,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Neither team cheats for offense, every inch of ice is hard-earned.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
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Niemann, a grandmaster, beat Carlsen in an upset in a 2022 match, leading Carlsen to withdraw from the tournament and setting off wild speculation about whether Niemann could have cheated, though no such allegations were ever proven.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For now, the researchers have left the ship in situ, partially covering it with original soil and squeezing wet sponges onto it to preserve moisture.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
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Productivity expectations have skyrocketed, squeezing more output into fewer hours.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The man who brought up the accusation of welfare fraud, who admitted to working for Alite's former boss John Gotti Jr., left the room, leaving a packet of handouts on a seat on his way out.—
Olivia Liu,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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As the Trump administration's cost-cutting initiative, DOGE has slashed tens of thousands of federal jobs in the name of reducing fraud, waste and abuse.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The pandemic unearthed a collective ache that had long been buried beneath deadlines, distractions, and digital noise.—
Devi Brown,
Time,
24 Apr. 2025
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Because over-the-counter pain relievers are so readily available, people often forget that pills aren't the only option when suffering from minor aches and pains, Pasricha says.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sting. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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