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.
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Recent Examples of stings
John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
For a city that helped define the modern Harry Styles concert era, the omission stings.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 22 Jan. 2026
Bee stings are common in summer, but knowing proper first aid can help reduce pain, swelling, and the risk of further irritation.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
As much as that stings for Chiefs fans, the more pressing concern was Mahomes’ health.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Dec. 2025
Soothe Mosquito Bites And Bee Stings A baking soda paste can help soothe irritation from bug bites and stings.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
The second episode may be pure fan service for longtime fans, full of Easter eggs and music stings from the original show, but there’s still more than enough for fresh eyes to enjoy — and no doubt, some exciting surprises in store for those in the know.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
Starting in 2021, the agency placed new controls on how DEA funds can be used in money laundering stings, and warned agents they can now be fired for a first offense of misconduct if serious enough, a departure from prior administrations.
—Fortune, 6 Dec. 2025
Portuguese man o' wars are notorious for their stings, which can leave whip-like, red welts on the skin and normally last two to three days after the initial shock, PBC Parks & Rec said.
—Hunter Geisel, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
January 20 – February 18 When pride stings, compassion clears the air.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026
Smith’s squad finished fourth in the Eastern Conference last season with 59 points before falling to New York City FC in the opening round, a defeat that still stings months later.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
But the Chiefs not being in the playoffs still stings.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
Touching on his reputation as an exacting, demanding, sometimes even difficult director to work with, Cameron offered rare comments about a joke made at an awards show that still stings over a decade later.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
And that’s what stings the most.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
The loss stings for Texas, which entered December with a 9-3 record and a spot just outside the College Football Playoff committee’s top-12 placement.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Even though the defeat stings, all the Hurricanes’ goals are still there for the taking.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
Those bars were also the site of police stings related to cocaine dealing, underage alcohol sales and flouting COVID-era business rules.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
For a city that helped define the modern Harry Styles concert era, the omission stings.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 22 Jan. 2026
Bee stings are common in summer, but knowing proper first aid can help reduce pain, swelling, and the risk of further irritation.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
As much as that stings for Chiefs fans, the more pressing concern was Mahomes’ health.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Dec. 2025
Soothe Mosquito Bites And Bee Stings A baking soda paste can help soothe irritation from bug bites and stings.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
The second episode may be pure fan service for longtime fans, full of Easter eggs and music stings from the original show, but there’s still more than enough for fresh eyes to enjoy — and no doubt, some exciting surprises in store for those in the know.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
Starting in 2021, the agency placed new controls on how DEA funds can be used in money laundering stings, and warned agents they can now be fired for a first offense of misconduct if serious enough, a departure from prior administrations.
—Fortune, 6 Dec. 2025
Portuguese man o' wars are notorious for their stings, which can leave whip-like, red welts on the skin and normally last two to three days after the initial shock, PBC Parks & Rec said.
—Hunter Geisel, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Verb
Losing Sproat stings as a player the Mets drafted twice and developed into a big-league starter, but the right-hander out of the University of Florida is still unproven.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
January 20 – February 18 When pride stings, compassion clears the air.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026
Smith’s squad finished fourth in the Eastern Conference last season with 59 points before falling to New York City FC in the opening round, a defeat that still stings months later.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
But the Chiefs not being in the playoffs still stings.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
Touching on his reputation as an exacting, demanding, sometimes even difficult director to work with, Cameron offered rare comments about a joke made at an awards show that still stings over a decade later.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
And that’s what stings the most.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
The loss stings for Texas, which entered December with a 9-3 record and a spot just outside the College Football Playoff committee’s top-12 placement.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Even though the defeat stings, all the Hurricanes’ goals are still there for the taking.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stings
Noun
-
Names, email addresses, birth dates and purchase history can be used to create highly convincing scams.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The report showed romance scams had the highest median dollar loss of all scam types at $6,099.—
Barbara White,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In fact, Williams took great pains to establish that his primary objective is building the Terps (7-7, 0-3 Big Ten), not tearing down a 21-year-old prospect, the Bears or the sport’s governing body.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Those in their fifties and beyond require the same amount of sleep as younger adults—and may actually benefit from sleeping more to offset nightly wake-ups from aches and pains, medication side effects, or dealing with the need to urinate more frequently in the middle of the night.—
Emma Loewe,
Outside,
1 Jan. 2026
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
-
Suddenly, Jeff Parker plucks a sighing six-note guitar run, dropping his shoulders into a solo section that carries the tune to its swooning conclusion.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
20 Dec. 2025
-
As Natalie walks away from Shayne, possibly for good, and as Venus and some entity named Gabby lunge for each other, Katie Maloney Schwartz Maloney plucks out her earbuds, pulls her sunglasses off her cunty little bob, closes her copy of The Shards, and packs up her bag.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 Dec. 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
-
This example of the latter skillfully squeezes a comfortable home for two into a single shipping container.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Jan. 2026
-
As the moon follows an elliptical path, Saturn’s gravity stretches and squeezes it.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Backroads Building and maintaining muscle is an important part of aging well, and there are plenty of travelers who are stronger than ever (even if there are a few more aches and pains) in their 50s and 60s.—
Christine Sarkis,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The detox massage worked deep into the hiking aches.—
Jemima Sissons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Most notably, watch here as backup center Oso Ighodaro shuts down Jalen Brunson’s final attempt to tie the score, then Grayson Allen deflects his pass, hustles into the backcourt and banks it off Mikal Bridges’ face and out of bounds.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The pair goes out and hustles other players with a cunning ruse that relies on the era’s racial and ethnic divisions.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stings. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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