1
as in scams
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
Relevance
2
as in pains
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
1
as in gouges
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 plucks
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stings
Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
These blocks have seen numerous NYPD crackdowns and federal stings targeting the counterfeit merchandise.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Barring RidgeRunner from the chamber has relatively few real-world implications, but the rejection’s symbolism stings.
—David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
The Barkov injury stings, but Finland will be ready for Milan.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Trujillo further noted that such stings closely resemble tactics used in the past decade by Port Authority police, who settled a class action lawsuit over similar arrests in 2022, promising to end plainclothes bathroom patrols and step up sensitivity training.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 24 Sep. 2025
About 20 million Americans have food allergies, and 225 people die every year from anaphylaxis after severe reactions to food, insect stings or bites, medications or other substances.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Bites can cause regional discomfort and redness, similar to bee stings.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
That’s where the rollback on compensation rules stings.
—AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
But for Hovland, the lingering frustration of missing Sunday singles and watching Harris English sit out for no fault of his own still stings.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Still, losing out on more seasons of Zoë Kravitz playing a lovably bisexual mess navigating New York City particularly stings.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 3 Oct. 2025
The right to due process is enshrined in both the federal and Massachusetts Constitutions, so any accusation otherwise stings.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
The first mozzie of the evening stings my arm.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
But this kind of comment often stings.
—Time, 26 Aug. 2025
Losing stings more than winning pleases.
—Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The memory of that second defeat against Mount Carmel still stings.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
A lot of stings, more than 100, over the whole body.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
These blocks have seen numerous NYPD crackdowns and federal stings targeting the counterfeit merchandise.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Barring RidgeRunner from the chamber has relatively few real-world implications, but the rejection’s symbolism stings.
—David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
The Barkov injury stings, but Finland will be ready for Milan.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Trujillo further noted that such stings closely resemble tactics used in the past decade by Port Authority police, who settled a class action lawsuit over similar arrests in 2022, promising to end plainclothes bathroom patrols and step up sensitivity training.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 24 Sep. 2025
About 20 million Americans have food allergies, and 225 people die every year from anaphylaxis after severe reactions to food, insect stings or bites, medications or other substances.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Bites can cause regional discomfort and redness, similar to bee stings.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
That’s where the rollback on compensation rules stings.
—AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
Even though the defeat stings, all the Hurricanes’ goals are still there for the taking.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
But for Hovland, the lingering frustration of missing Sunday singles and watching Harris English sit out for no fault of his own still stings.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Still, losing out on more seasons of Zoë Kravitz playing a lovably bisexual mess navigating New York City particularly stings.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 3 Oct. 2025
The right to due process is enshrined in both the federal and Massachusetts Constitutions, so any accusation otherwise stings.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
The first mozzie of the evening stings my arm.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
But this kind of comment often stings.
—Time, 26 Aug. 2025
Losing stings more than winning pleases.
—Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The memory of that second defeat against Mount Carmel still stings.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stings
Noun
-
Trailer Park Boys is a faux documentary about three petty criminals running scams from their Halifax trailer park and streams on Netflix.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Online scams thrive when people stay silent, but sharing stories like Joe's helps others stay alert.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But while pains de garde can be eaten all week long, baguettes go stale quickly, leading to significant waste in French households.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Eager to assimilate, Japanese farmers took pains to learn English.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In 2017, he was recalled after backing the $5 billion yearly gas tax that still gouges at the pump.—
John Seiler,
Oc Register,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The dog jumps up and plucks the burger from her—a move that left viewers stunned and amused by the canine's flawless execution.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
-
There may be even greater reasons to put an ad that plucks the heartstrings in front of a broader crowd.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Researchers suggested that future studies should include people who actually experience tingles to better understand how ASMR might help with mental health and relaxation.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As Arizona squeezes more money from its decreasing share of river water, freighting every drop with critical industries and a booming housing market, the price of water is bound to keep climbing.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The country’s geography squeezes a wild variety into a tight map.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
These symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, confusion, loss of balance or seizures.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But for some people, the supplement has been linked to various side effects including headaches, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, stomach aches, confusion or disorientation, tremors, low blood pressure, irritability, mild anxiety and depression.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Outerlands stars Dillon as thirtysomething Cass, who hustles jobs as a server, nanny and party drug dealer to make rent on their tiny San Francisco apartment.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
-
While everyone else hustles about, the sloth knows that in slowness there is safety and success.—
Kate Siber,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stings. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share