Synonyms of sting

sting 1 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

sting

2 of 2

noun

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

• scam
• fraud
• swindle
• shell game
• con
• hoax
• hustle
• scheme
• trick
• device
• bunko
• flimflam
• bunco
• cross
• fiddle
• racket
• counterfeit
• gouging
• dodge
• ploy
• jig
• fix
• wile
• soaking
• stratagem
• fake
• pyramid scheme
• overcharging
• rip-off
• Ponzi scheme
• sleight
• sham
• phoney
• gimmick
• forgery
• phony
• three-card monte
• thimblerig
• humbug

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

• 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

Examples of sting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Topical zinc side effects include burning, skin discoloration, and stinging when applied to irritated skin. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 22 Sep. 2024

The Democratic mayor, who has slipped in the polls in recent weeks, fought back against stinging attacks from her top four challengers in the crowded race of 13. —Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Sep. 2024

Noun

What the front office has attempted to do this offseason, though, is attempt to alleviate the sting of his departure. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2024

Their venom is less painful than your typical bee sting and won't leave much more than pain and redness around the bite mark. —Mike Deehan, Axios, 26 Sep. 2024