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
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
For researchers, the dismantling of the birthplace of climate modeling stings.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
That’s where the rollback on compensation rules stings.
—AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025
Over time, though, the lack of advancement stings.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
In this world, every heartbreak stings like a million acupuncture needles.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 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
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
For researchers, the dismantling of the birthplace of climate modeling stings.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
That’s where the rollback on compensation rules stings.
—AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025
Over time, though, the lack of advancement stings.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
In this world, every heartbreak stings like a million acupuncture needles.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 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
-
Investigators say the same networks also operate large-scale text-message scams that feed the card-draining operations.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
-
This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Colleagues who failed to take similar pains earned his everlasting disdain.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Like regular depression, SAD can cause negative feelings like hopelessness, worthlessness, irritability, and guilt; fatigue or reduced energy; a loss of interest in hobbies and activities; and even physical aches and pains (including headaches, cramps, and digestive problems).—
Maggie O'Neill,
SELF,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In 2017, he was recalled after backing the $5 billion yearly gas tax that still gouges at the pump.—
John Seiler,
Oc Register,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The dog jumps up and plucks the burger from her—a move that left viewers stunned and amused by the canine's flawless execution.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
-
There may be even greater reasons to put an ad that plucks the heartstrings in front of a broader crowd.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And now, one such creation slithers, squeezes, and twists through the narrowest corners.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The surgeon withdraws the balloon and then squeezes the implant in through a sterile funnel before closing the incision.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Like regular depression, SAD can cause negative feelings like hopelessness, worthlessness, irritability, and guilt; fatigue or reduced energy; a loss of interest in hobbies and activities; and even physical aches and pains (including headaches, cramps, and digestive problems).—
Maggie O'Neill,
SELF,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, loss of balance and convulsions.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Linda hustles the two of them to a nearby motel whose only employees are a surly young goth attendant (a glowering Ivy Wolk) and a sympathetic, mildly flirty super (A$AP Rocky, laidback and breezy).—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
-
For somebody who’d allegedly prefer a life of leisure, Phoebe Robinson sure hustles.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These pangs are only compounded by the cliffhanger that concluded Season 2, in which President William Rayburn (Michael McKean) suffered a fatal heart attack and elevated his vice president, Grace Penn (Allison Janney), to the top of the call sheet.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Sharp cracks of gunfire pierced the morning air, loud, jarring pangs that echoed off the concrete.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stings. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share