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
Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
Here’s what to know about sea lice, including where they’re found, whether you’ll get stung and how to prevent those itchy rashes.
—Evan Moore
july 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025
Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 23 July 2025
Carl Marino, an aspiring actor and investigator, played a major role in exposing his crimes through a sting operation after Marino had been axed from the show due to allegedly spreading misinformation about the production and the mothers.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sting
Verb
Four firefighters were stung during the rescue, Subervi said.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025
Here’s what to know about sea lice, including where they’re found, whether you’ll get stung and how to prevent those itchy rashes.
—Evan Moore
july 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025
Noun
The symptoms have no easily identifiable triggers, such as an insect sting, food or medication.
—Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 23 July 2025
Carl Marino, an aspiring actor and investigator, played a major role in exposing his crimes through a sting operation after Marino had been axed from the show due to allegedly spreading misinformation about the production and the mothers.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sting
Verb
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Both parties can reach across the aisle and agree that the bill on our tickets is no longer capitalism, or even gouging.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2025
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Untamed lingers on the body’s bluish decay and gouged limbs, a macabre counter to the suggestion that being outside will rejuvenate your spirit and your body.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
17 July 2025
Verb
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Pieces from Stock are often plucked by stylists for celebrity editorials for Vanity Fair, Esquire and GQ.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
6 Aug. 2025
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Unlike many popular artists, she was never classically trained or in any other bands, nor was she plucked from obscurity to perform assembly-line creations.—
Holden Seidlitz,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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What To Know Investigators said the scam typically unfolds over four stages.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
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Beware of scams and phishing Watch for suspicious activity: Be cautious of any emails or messages that ask for personal information about your baby or family.—
Tinybeans Team,
Miami Herald,
31 July 2025
Noun
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The tingle of lemongrass, kaffir lime and galangal ride the sour pop that springs right up into your sinuses and evokes fragrant memories of Thailand.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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Celebrity makeup artist Dom Della assures that, unlike other super spicy plumping options, this offers more subtle results with a cooling minty tingle.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This year has already seen examples of AI systems willing to deceive, cheat and steal to achieve their goals.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
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And rebuilding trust – as anyone knows who has lied or cheated – is far harder than protecting it.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To squeeze all this into exactly 100 days between Wrexham staging a promotion party after last season had ended and Tuesday’s cup tie against Hull is impressive.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
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Ewers was impressive finding A.J. Henning on one throw and squeezed a pass into a tight window to running back Ollie Gordon II.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, the rise of AI and sophisticated fraud techniques means organizations are managing today's threats with yesterday's tools.—
Chris McHenry,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The audit said the foundations’ inaccurate financial reporting raises the risk of fraud and misappropriation of funds.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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While the disease is not contagious, symptoms include cough, fever, headache, muscle aches, and shortness of breath, and can be treated with antibiotics.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
5 Aug. 2025
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Less common symptoms: Eye inflammation, fatigue, sleep disturbances, stiff neck, fever, and body aches have also been linked to Lyme disease infections.—
Amber Brenza,
Health,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sting. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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