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
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Recent Examples of stings
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Other stings by Lampros have similarly led police to evidence of further crimes, police reports show.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
And sure, Crosby being out for at least a couple of more weeks stings.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The uncertainty of it all stings.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
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
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
The loss stings, but doesn’t change the outlook of TCU’s chances of contending during March Madness.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 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
That still stings 30 years later.
—Hank Tester, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
For the show’s devoted fanbase, the loss stings — but there’s no shortage of series ready to fill the void.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Of Iran’s many squandered possibilities, the waste of our soft power stings the most.
—Arash Azizi, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
Russell — the devoted husband of Paige (Elle Chapman) — absorbs hornet stings and sharper barbs from his mother-in-law, Stacy Clyburn (Michelle Pfeiffer).
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Other stings by Lampros have similarly led police to evidence of further crimes, police reports show.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
And sure, Crosby being out for at least a couple of more weeks stings.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The uncertainty of it all stings.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
And that’s the part that stings.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
The loss stings, but doesn’t change the outlook of TCU’s chances of contending during March Madness.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 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
That still stings 30 years later.
—Hank Tester, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
For the show’s devoted fanbase, the loss stings — but there’s no shortage of series ready to fill the void.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Of Iran’s many squandered possibilities, the waste of our soft power stings the most.
—Arash Azizi, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stings
Noun
-
Most scams utilize similar tactics — unsolicited emails, text, or calls that appear official, but demand immediate action to avoid dire consequences.—
Lori V. Vaughan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Murray noted that the tariff refund scams work in a variety of ways.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One associate dean couched the misstep as a result of learning pains tied to the adoption of new technology.—
Emily Hodgson Anderson,
The Conversation,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Tagovailoa, sporting a gray T-shirt and white ball cap, went through the pains and shortcomings of his past, his expectations for 2026 and the quarterback battle that awaits him in Flowery Branch.—
Daniel Flick,
AJC.com,
24 Mar. 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
-
But if Rick later plucks something from behind that rock at the fire, are others going to start poking around looking for stuff?—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The first layer, called the Level-1 Trigger, or L1T, harvests 100,000 events per second, and the second layer, called the High-Level Trigger, or HLT, plucks 1,000 of those events to save for later analysis.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
3 Feb. 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
-
The pencil-thin DQ Tower squeezes a full home into a very slender footprint, while the EONE XL takes a wider prefab approach to the same basic challenge.—
Stefan Ionescu
March 30,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
-
There’s no end to the war in sight after one month as Iran squeezes the global economy.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The bumps and bruises, aches, pain and fatigue that comes with air travel and sleeping in hotels and the unrelenting schedule takes its toll.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
-
These soft, breathable and moisture-wicking compression socks help reduce swelling, and relieve aches and fatigue.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In games like Tuesday, when that deep postseason run seems realistic, UCLA pops the ball around on offense and communicates and hustles to overcome its deficiencies on defense.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Compared to the behemoth Acela, which hustles hundreds of thousands of riders between Boston, New York City, and Washington DC each month, Amtrak's Mardi Gras line is downright petite—just two 58-seat coaches, plus a café car and a 14-seat Business Class car.—
Kara Newman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stings. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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