as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
these cold, stinging winds are not just a discomfort—they can be dangerous to exposed flesh
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in gouging
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 plucking
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
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Recent Examples of stinging
Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent oversaw a series of unorthodox steps aimed at stabilizing Argentine assets after the peso had plunged in the wake of Milei’s party suffering a stinging defeat in a key provincial ballot last month.
—Daniel Flatley, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Terry Smith will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of the season for the Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten), who began the year with hopes of winning the national title only to have those hopes evaporate by early October with three consecutive losses, each one more stinging than the last.
—Travis Johnson, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
In the end, however, Disney handed a stinging defeat to Peltz.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2025
Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD on YouTube and other social media channels, has already boiled down his thoughts to a stinging verdict.
—Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
While Bernhardt praises her gifts, the French diva doesn’t hold back in her stinging criticism of the production, calling it the same old prewar Italian theater, out of touch with the times.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
All that and the Lakers – who were left scrambling after the Klaw left them hanging – threw together a squad of role-embracing vets who handled the bubble like pros and won the franchise its 17th title, a swift and stinging rebuttal.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
Redness, stinging, swelling13 7.
—Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 27 Aug. 2025
Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Seawater keeps the jellyfish’s stinging capsules inert.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
On the other side, the investigative news site Mediapart, which first broke news of Sarkozy’s Libya link, and other progressive titles delivered stinging editorials on his conduct.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
The production was plagued by hurricanes, tsunami warnings, stinging jellyfish and several injuries — including Costner, who almost died while riding out a storm stranded atop a mast after his safety line had snapped.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
Andreas Helmersen hit the bar while Patrick Berg’s stinging effort was saved by Guglielmo Vicario.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
These pretty pink jellyfish are carnivorous and have stinging tentacles that can reach up to 70 feet long.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
After the Department of Transportation issued a stinging blow to consumers by rolling back a rule requiring airlines to compensate passengers for delays, the agency has upgraded its airline complaint system.
—AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025
Justice Sonia Sotomayor delivered a stinging rebuke of the Supreme Court's decision to clear the way to allow sweeping immigration operations in Los Angeles.
—Andrew Stanton
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Justice Benjamin Curtis, from Massachusetts, wrote a stinging dissent and resigned from the Court shortly afterward, reportedly in part because of the decision.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent oversaw a series of unorthodox steps aimed at stabilizing Argentine assets after the peso had plunged in the wake of Milei’s party suffering a stinging defeat in a key provincial ballot last month.
—Daniel Flatley, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Terry Smith will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of the season for the Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten), who began the year with hopes of winning the national title only to have those hopes evaporate by early October with three consecutive losses, each one more stinging than the last.
—Travis Johnson, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
In the end, however, Disney handed a stinging defeat to Peltz.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2025
Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD on YouTube and other social media channels, has already boiled down his thoughts to a stinging verdict.
—Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
While Bernhardt praises her gifts, the French diva doesn’t hold back in her stinging criticism of the production, calling it the same old prewar Italian theater, out of touch with the times.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
All that and the Lakers – who were left scrambling after the Klaw left them hanging – threw together a squad of role-embracing vets who handled the bubble like pros and won the franchise its 17th title, a swift and stinging rebuttal.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
Redness, stinging, swelling13 7.
—Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
Rather than rob the story of its teeth, this enabled me to explore the pain, loneliness and personal demons of my characters with sympathy rather than stinging bite.
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Seawater keeps the jellyfish’s stinging capsules inert.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
On the other side, the investigative news site Mediapart, which first broke news of Sarkozy’s Libya link, and other progressive titles delivered stinging editorials on his conduct.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
The production was plagued by hurricanes, tsunami warnings, stinging jellyfish and several injuries — including Costner, who almost died while riding out a storm stranded atop a mast after his safety line had snapped.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
Andreas Helmersen hit the bar while Patrick Berg’s stinging effort was saved by Guglielmo Vicario.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
These pretty pink jellyfish are carnivorous and have stinging tentacles that can reach up to 70 feet long.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
After the Department of Transportation issued a stinging blow to consumers by rolling back a rule requiring airlines to compensate passengers for delays, the agency has upgraded its airline complaint system.
—AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025
Justice Sonia Sotomayor delivered a stinging rebuke of the Supreme Court's decision to clear the way to allow sweeping immigration operations in Los Angeles.
—Andrew Stanton
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stinging
Adjective
-
But usually the administration official doesn’t fight back in such a biting way.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Over nearly three decades, Baumbach has built a career chronicling families in crisis and artists at the crossroads, his films combining biting wit with an unflinching emotional honesty.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At least the climactic pandemonium has some of that old REC intensity; Plaza dynamically orchestrates the violence, dazzling the eyes of his audience one minute, gouging the eyes of his characters the next.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
3 Oct. 2025
-
There’s no question Newsom — who had spent months excoriating refiners for gouging consumers on gasoline prices, even calling a special legislative session to impose new regulations — changed his tune after two refineries announced plans to shut down.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Recipes from Valencia took me back to an afternoon lounging in the lawns near The City of Arts and Sciences, staring at orange trees, plucking pieces of rabbit from paella with my fingers, and swirling toast into olive oil.—
Jamila Robinson,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
-
When not plucking away at a keyboard, Madison teaches yoga and mountain bikes with her two Australian shepherds, Cholla and Poppy, through Missoula's Rattlesnake Wilderness.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
He was chosen as commissioner in October 1989 over New Orleans general manager Jim Finks after a bitter fight highlighting the differences between the NFL's old guard and newer owners.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Arugula Arugula is an aromatic, slightly bitter leafy green.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But like his predecessor, this Frankenstein is just as obsessed with immortality and cheating death through science.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Gen Z is 'monkey barring' — not cheating.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Bagail 6-piece Compression Packing Cube Set is just $19 and a game-changer for squeezing extra outfits into a carry-on.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
To check for ripeness, start by squeezing the fruit—ripe mangos should give slightly under pressure without feeling overly soft or mushy.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In Hyderabad, the jump was even sharper, rising from 8 leadership roles in 2024 to 42 year to date.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The Southeast could also briefly experience blustery winds and a sharp cold snap, with frost or even a hard freeze reaching inland areas as far south as Georgia and the Carolinas by Tuesday morning.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The upper-level primary suite, a serene retreat that feels worlds away from the city below, includes a freestanding soaking tub bedroom.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
12 Nov. 2025
-
The real mystery was in how this tiny towel could somehow absorb every ounce of water from your soaking wet body—but after a quick wring, your shammy was restored to bone-dry perfection.—
Kristen Geil,
Outside,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stinging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stinging. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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