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
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Recent Examples of stings
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
According to the Park Record, two people, including the driver of the truck, were transported to the hospital with minor injuries, including bee stings.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Soothe Mosquito Bites And Bee Stings A baking soda paste can help soothe irritation from bug bites and stings.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
Scorpions with long, slender claws need to hold onto a wrestling, fighting prey for longer to give the venom from their stings time to start working.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
Despite a severe allergy to bee stings, Sean cares for hives across New York City.
—John Calvelli, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
The Culiseta annulata mosquito stings, or bites, but is not known to be a primary vector for tropical diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and dengue.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026
While Thursday’s loss stings, Bubic is hopeful KC can rebound this weekend.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
But losing two players with first-round potential in McNeil and Able stings.
—Brendan Marks, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Nothing stings more than seeing a shipping fee tacked on top of an order that was already a splurge.
—Hannah Chubb, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
This scene stings with recognition.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
That’s the part that stings the most.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
The team had the best record in the major leagues as recently as June 13 of last season before collapsing and missing the postseason — a collapse that still stings for fans.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Someone Ederra knows has died, and the pain stings.
—Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2026
That role, and the vitriol from within the industry toward the movie (a flop turned cult favorite), still stings.
—Cat Woods, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The result stings, but the fightback should give them confidence to carry forward.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
Swimmers and surfers are encouraged to stay alert during the warmer months in order to avoid jellyfish stings.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
According to the Park Record, two people, including the driver of the truck, were transported to the hospital with minor injuries, including bee stings.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Soothe Mosquito Bites And Bee Stings A baking soda paste can help soothe irritation from bug bites and stings.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
Scorpions with long, slender claws need to hold onto a wrestling, fighting prey for longer to give the venom from their stings time to start working.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026
Despite a severe allergy to bee stings, Sean cares for hives across New York City.
—John Calvelli, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
The Culiseta annulata mosquito stings, or bites, but is not known to be a primary vector for tropical diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and dengue.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026
While Thursday’s loss stings, Bubic is hopeful KC can rebound this weekend.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
But losing two players with first-round potential in McNeil and Able stings.
—Brendan Marks, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
And Jaden McDaniels was right, which stings even more.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Nothing stings more than seeing a shipping fee tacked on top of an order that was already a splurge.
—Hannah Chubb, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
This scene stings with recognition.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
That’s the part that stings the most.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
The team had the best record in the major leagues as recently as June 13 of last season before collapsing and missing the postseason — a collapse that still stings for fans.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Someone Ederra knows has died, and the pain stings.
—Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 11 Mar. 2026
That role, and the vitriol from within the industry toward the movie (a flop turned cult favorite), still stings.
—Cat Woods, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The result stings, but the fightback should give them confidence to carry forward.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stings
Noun
-
As more services move online, these scams will continue to evolve.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Artificial intelligence is now not only powering innovation but also reshaping how scams are created and delivered.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Ebola causes a hemorrhagic fever, with symptoms that start with fever, aches, pains and fatigue before progressing to diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding, according to the public health agency.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
But in the four years between the two terms, Xi had taken pains to ensure this tactic would no longer work, with export controls on rare earth metals that are indispensable to American arms manufacturers and carmakers.—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
15 May 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
-
Tabakis lightly strums and plucks over a glowing drone and chattering birds, offering an ecumenical introduction, a smiling welcome.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
14 May 2026
-
Carrera now plucks the melody in single notes.—
Peter Wayne Moe,
Longreads,
26 Mar. 2026
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
-
An electronic safety system monitors each cell during operations, avoiding both under- and overcharges.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Aug. 2017
Verb
-
For the United States, the blockade squeezes Iran’s already weakened economy by denying it long-term cash flow.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The waves, which were first used in Boston in 2011, help spread things out so that runners don’t have to walk after the start, when Main Street in Hopkinton squeezes to just 39 feet wide.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Scott said Stafford developed symptoms that can resemble other diseases including fever, aches, chills and fatigue -- which can make Ebola difficult to diagnose and treat.—
Morgan Winsor,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
Ebola causes a hemorrhagic fever, with symptoms that start with fever, aches, pains and fatigue before progressing to diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding, according to the public health agency.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stings. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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