sting 1 of 2

noun

Definition of stingnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

sting

2 of 2

verb

ˈstiŋ How to pronounce sting (audio)
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sting
Noun
But flexibility on travel days and booking early can soften the sting. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 The sting can be fatal for humans in cases of an allergic reaction, the study says. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
Indy struggled against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in its season opener, then took a stinging 33-30 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. — Elise Devlin, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2026 General Mills spun off Darden Restaurants in 1995, and then Darden sold Red Lobster in 2014, in a deal with the private equity firm Golden Gate Capital that still stings many veterans to this day. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sting
  1. tingle
  2. scam
  3. gouge
  4. pluck
  5. ache
  6. fraud
  7. cheat
  8. squeeze
Noun
  • Cola Addict captures that fizzy first sip with zippy lemon and lime, spicy ginger, and a kick of cinnamon that almost mimics the tingle of carbonation.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026
  • There have been quite a few Lost-like moments throughout the run of Silo, but none have had exactly the same Lost-y tingle as our first peek inside Silo 1 in the season-three finale.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of tingle
Noun
  • Authorities also obtained assistance from multiple banks and reviewed security camera footage, financial records and body camera footage from previous investigations involving similar scams.
    — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Location information can also make a scam call more convincing.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of scam
Verb
  • Insurance carriers are often able to negotiate a better rate for the tow, if he was indeed getting gouged.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • During Fortescue’s early years, the environmental toll of gouging metals from the earth was all but an afterthought.
    — Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of gouge
Verb
  • As the party winded down, guests plucked final bites off silver platters and marveled at how tall Skarsgård truly is in person—his nearly six-foot-five frame barely fit under the bar’s low ceilings.
    — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Starring alongside Amell is a slew of objectively hot influencers and models plucked straight off the TikTok FYP, including Noah Beck, Olivia Dunne, and Brooks Nader.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of pluck
Noun
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain and discomfort from headaches, body aches and sore throats by reducing inflammation, says Reed.
    — Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The non-invasive form can cause gastrointestinal distress, fever and aches for a few days.
    — Eva Flowe October 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of ache
Noun
  • That changed after the 2020 presidential election, when secretaries of state in places such as Arizona, Georgia and Michigan were thrust into battles over election results, certification and false claims of widespread fraud.
    — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
  • As Vanity Fair reported at the time, the article led to an all-hands meeting at The Times where some staffers questioned the choice to run a soft profile on a woman who had been convicted of fraud and was about to head to prison.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of fraud
Verb
  • In taking that gamble, the authors cheated fans and missed an opportunity.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • How successful the gerrymandering actually was remains to be seen — Republicans are polling poorly in the Lone Star State, perhaps in part because of their blatant attempt to cheat voters out of their voices.
    — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheat
Verb
  • But in recent years, the shows have become money losers and the network TV business — faced with a decline in viewers that is squeezing profits — are cutting them loose.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • However, rising costs for housing, food, fuel and insurance coupled with cooling employment rends and the lowest consumer sentiment in a decade is squeezing discretionary spending.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeeze

Browse Nearby Words

stimulus
sting
stinger
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Cite this Entry

“Sting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sting. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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