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

But inflation-weary shoppers can still take some steps to ease the sting of high prices. — Elizabeth Canales, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

Their arrival adds to a growing list of invasive marine species affecting the Atlantic, including jellyfish with painful stings, which were recently documented along the Jersey Shore. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Verb

Cormier says that bees can be dangerous (even dead ones can sting, if stepped on, so long as their stinger and venom sac are still intact). — Richard Schiffman, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026

Symptoms of smoke inhalation include coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing, asthma attacks, stinging eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose and irritated sinuses, headaches, tiredness, chest pain and a fast heartbeat. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 17 July 2026