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
Eva Flowe
june 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 June 2026
This applies especially to high-traffic areas or if someone in your household is allergic to wasp stings.
—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
21 June 2026
However, when wasps are on the move, stings happen.
—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
21 June 2026
Experts are advising anyone already sensitive to bee or wasp stings to speak with their doctor about carrying an epinephrine auto-injector as a precaution.
—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
Carpenter ants, for example, can damage buildings by tunneling into wood, while fire ants are infamous for their painful stings and bites.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 June 2026
While most jellyfish stings are not life-threatening, some people may have allergic reactions.
—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
20 May 2026
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
For Martin, that statement still stings.
—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2026
Considering Dylan Holloway was that pick, and the Oilers haven’t found much in any round of all the drafts since, the irony stings for fans of the team.
—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Nothing stings quite like being steps from getting your credit card out to make a glorious purchase, and finding that your promo code isn’t working.
—
Hannah Chubb,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
This stings even more on the heels of Hyatt’s award chart overhaul, which now has five price tiers instead of three.
—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
10 June 2026
The loss stings even more because Tiafoe is comfortable in these moments.
—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Monitor for irritation—discontinue any product that stings, burns or worsens symptoms.
—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
18 May 2026
And Jaden McDaniels was right, which stings even more.
—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Noun
However, people who are hypersensitive to other stinging insects are at higher risk of anaphylactic response to Asian needle ant stings.
—
Eva Flowe
june 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 June 2026
This applies especially to high-traffic areas or if someone in your household is allergic to wasp stings.
—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
21 June 2026
However, when wasps are on the move, stings happen.
—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
21 June 2026
Experts are advising anyone already sensitive to bee or wasp stings to speak with their doctor about carrying an epinephrine auto-injector as a precaution.
—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
Carpenter ants, for example, can damage buildings by tunneling into wood, while fire ants are infamous for their painful stings and bites.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 June 2026
While most jellyfish stings are not life-threatening, some people may have allergic reactions.
—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
If feedback stings, take a breath, separate taste from task, and keep what improves the result.
—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
For Martin, that statement still stings.
—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2026
Considering Dylan Holloway was that pick, and the Oilers haven’t found much in any round of all the drafts since, the irony stings for fans of the team.
—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Nothing stings quite like being steps from getting your credit card out to make a glorious purchase, and finding that your promo code isn’t working.
—
Hannah Chubb,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
This stings even more on the heels of Hyatt’s award chart overhaul, which now has five price tiers instead of three.
—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
10 June 2026
The loss stings even more because Tiafoe is comfortable in these moments.
—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Monitor for irritation—discontinue any product that stings, burns or worsens symptoms.
—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
18 May 2026
And Jaden McDaniels was right, which stings even more.
—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stings
Noun
-
As cybercriminals use increasingly sophisticated tactics and AI makes phishing attempts, impersonation scams and other attacks harder to spot, organizations can’t rely on annual compliance training alone.
-
Always compare multiple firms before making a decision because tax relief scams do exist.
Noun
-
Having witnessed centuries of religious warfare in Europe, when millions were killed for their beliefs, the framers took pains to make sure nothing like that would happen here.
-
Perhaps second only to getting sunburned through your favorite white dress, the greatest casualty of summer fashion is the aches and pains brought on by your cutest but least supportive shoes.
Verb
-
In 2017, he was recalled after backing the $5 billion yearly gas tax that still gouges at the pump.
Verb
-
His torso and thighs grow eye-poppingly muscular beneath their skimpy fur-and-leather togs—a development that does not go unnoticed by a warrior named Red Hair, who plucks the young hunk from his post and tosses him into the prime time of the gladiator pit.
-
But the emotional gravity of this offering's deeply personal, melancholic lyrical content plucks an undeniably profound chord that uniquely separates it from the rest of his work.
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.
Verb
-
An electronic safety system monitors each cell during operations, avoiding both under- and overcharges.
Verb
-
One of our favorite budget models on the market right now is HP's OmniBook X Flip, which squeezes every bit of performance out of its components to deliver capable everyday productivity performance in a good-looking package.
-
That suits floating-rate lenders, who earn more when rates stay up, and squeezes any borrower trying to refinance into those rates.
Noun
-
Around that time, Lyla’s sister Adalynn began to get hives and stomach aches; then her brother Jackson came home with a rash on his face.
-
Typical symptoms include fever, rash, body aches, headache, nausea and vomiting.
Cite this Entry
“Stings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stings. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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