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
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
However, when wasps are on the move, stings happen.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 3 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
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
Hannah Chubb, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026
If a memory stings during work, step away briefly, write a few lines, then return with cleaner focus for the task in front of you.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 16 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
This loss stings far more than the others, particularly because the Wild raised their own expectations.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 14 May 2026
And Jaden McDaniels was right, which stings even more.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
This scene stings with recognition.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
However, when wasps are on the move, stings happen.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 3 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
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
Verb
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
If a memory stings during work, step away briefly, write a few lines, then return with cleaner focus for the task in front of you.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 16 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
This loss stings far more than the others, particularly because the Wild raised their own expectations.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 14 May 2026
And Jaden McDaniels was right, which stings even more.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
This scene stings with recognition.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stings
Noun
-
For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
Text message scams are increasingly rife.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The colors, pains, pleasures, smells, tastes and sounds, the what-it’s-like of being conscious, are not private inner bits and blobs that philosophers call qualia, floating in a theatre of the mind.—
Andréa Morris,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Unfortunately, days before the ceremony, Nelson began experiencing chest pains while visiting with a friend.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
18 June 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
-
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.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
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.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
29 May 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
-
With electric vehicles continuing to gain share, that further squeezes European carmakers.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
At one point, the SUV squeezes past a traffic cone while making a left turn and narrowly avoids colliding with a large truck.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
This compact 160-piece kit covers cuts, burns, and aches, and tucks neatly into a suitcase or day bag.—
Robin Raven,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2026
-
Some women suffered through menopause symptoms such as joint aches and brain fog for years and met with various doctors before reaching out to Elizabeth Lapeyre's New Orleans medical office.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stings. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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