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

The air inside his temple in Dharamshala thickens with the sharp, medicinal sting of burning juniper and the low, rhythmic thrum of drums and horns. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026

Police conducted the sting in response to more than 100 calls for service this year involving minors riding electric bikes and motorcycles in an unsafe manner, according to the district attorney’s office. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Verb

That still stings, even if Wicky wasn’t one of the three to attempt a penalty. — Sam McDowell 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Democrats are still stung by Rogan’s nearly three-hour Trump interview in the final weeks of the 2024 campaign. — Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026