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
Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 5 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
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
Arash Azizi, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
This stings less thanks to the healthy variety of all-timers currently in the field.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
The Dillingham part of the equation stings.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 5 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
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
Verb
Of Iran’s many squandered possibilities, the waste of our soft power stings the most.
—Arash Azizi, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
This stings less thanks to the healthy variety of all-timers currently in the field.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stings
Noun
-
How to avoid stimulus check scams As plans for any forthcoming checks remain unclear, stimulus scams have become so widespread that the IRS has cautioned the public to stay vigilant.—
Cheyenne Derksen,
Oklahoman,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Keep your items close and protected The amount of local scams and pickpockets in many European cities is a constant issue for travelers.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And not only through month-long vacations and pains au chocolat.—
Hannah Seligson,
Vanity Fair,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The Guy, as Sinclair is known on the show, sells to everyone, stressed-out 20-something assistant and cross-dressing stay-at-home dad alike, witnessing their private joys and pains and shortcomings and judging no one.—
Ezra Marcus,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 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
-
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
-
From the metallic sheen of a beetle to the delicacy of a butterfly, Sandini described how Materia Futura plucks inspiration straight from nature.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Jan. 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
-
All this requires a lot of power, which puts a strain on the grid and squeezes local resources.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, in order to protect their identities, their words are read aloud during re-enactments by powerhouse actresses such as Emma Thompson (who squeezes herself beneath an axle) and Kate Dickie (performing, as the nurse, on all fours on Kenmure Street itself).—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Muscle Aches Together with joint pain, muscle aches and tension throughout your body is common during perimenopause and menopause.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The middle-aged woman cured of breast cancer who now struggles to climb stairs because endocrine therapy has carved away her bone density and caused joint aches.—
Gilberto Lopes,
STAT,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Stings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stings. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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