as in biting
causing intense discomfort to one's skin
these cold, stinging winds are not just a discomfort—they can be dangerous to exposed flesh
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in gouging
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 plucking
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stinging
Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
While Bernhardt praises her gifts, the French diva doesn’t hold back in her stinging criticism of the production, calling it the same old prewar Italian theater, out of touch with the times.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
All that and the Lakers – who were left scrambling after the Klaw left them hanging – threw together a squad of role-embracing vets who handled the bubble like pros and won the franchise its 17th title, a swift and stinging rebuttal.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
Redness, stinging, swelling13 7.
—Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 27 Aug. 2025
They are known to be foraging predators with tentacles that hold highly poisonous stinging cells, used for both hunting and self-defense, explains the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The Cubs are falling further back from first place in the NL Central, the White Sox are 44-78, and Clarendon Hills suffered a stinging defeat in their opening game of the Little League World Series, losing 16-1.
—Grace Miserocchi, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, Howard Stern had stinging comments today over Kimmel going dark, and joined the groundswell of subscribers cancelling Disney+.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Sep. 2025
After the Department of Transportation issued a stinging blow to consumers by rolling back a rule requiring airlines to compensate passengers for delays, the agency has upgraded its airline complaint system.
—AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025
It’s revealed that Sklar was Lori’s inspiration as a child to become an artist, only to crush that spark a dozen or so years later with stinging cruelty.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Perhaps the loss, coupled with seeing Parsons thrive in Green Bay as the Packers get off to a hot start, is stinging the Cowboys’ top cornerback in Week 1.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Justice Sonia Sotomayor delivered a stinging rebuke of the Supreme Court's decision to clear the way to allow sweeping immigration operations in Los Angeles.
—Andrew Stanton
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
This interaction damages skin cells and can trigger irritation, redness, stinging or burning.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Lapham also talked about the high of winning the AFC Championship in 1981, followed by the stinging loss to San Francisco in Super Bowl 16.
—Beryl Love, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD on YouTube and other social media channels, has already boiled down his thoughts to a stinging verdict.
—Verb
These pretty pink jellyfish are carnivorous and have stinging tentacles that can reach up to 70 feet long.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for stinging
Adjective
-
The characters have this sharp, biting, British humor.—
-
There’s Bud the biting cat, played by a feline named Tonic and who deserves a three-picture deal.—
Verb
-
Time for the city to stop gouging us and start being more responsible with taxpayer money.—
-
The residency’s first nine shows were only available to Puerto Rico residents, and when tickets went on sale in January, the prices for all shows ranged between $35 and $250, a rarity in an era of concert price-gouging and Ticketmaster wars.—
Verb
-
The first challenge is to create a visually appealing monkey bread, which many in America will recognize as a circular loaf composed of smaller balls that can be easily torn off, much like monkeys plucking nits from one another.—
-
When not plucking away at a keyboard, Madison teaches yoga and mountain bikes with her two Australian shepherds, Cholla and Poppy, through Missoula's Rattlesnake Wilderness.—
Adjective
-
Remove a thin piece of peel from a lemon (for rye) or orange (for bourbon), getting as little of the bitter white pith as possible; hold the peel between your fingers with the outside facing the top of the drink and pinch slightly to express the citrus oils over the top.—
-
The story of the bitter conflict ripping Loving County apart is inseparable from its history, one of hardship, survival, and ties to an unforgiving place that are born deep inside a person’s bones like marrow.—
Verb
-
Emotionally cheating may hurt more than physically cheating.—
-
The next global square date will take place on January 1, 2036, or 01/01/2036, which feels a bit like cheating since both versions yield 1012036 (1006 x 1006).—
Verb
-
While many traditional inner-thigh exercises focus solely on squeezing motions, more effective adductor training also incorporates movements in multiple planes and challenges the muscles to work as stabilizers rather than just prime movers.—
-
The squeeze One way Californians cope with pricey housing is by squeezing more than the typical number of people into their living spaces.—
Adjective
-
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who will host COP30, delivered a sharp rebuke.—
-
But the fitter and sharper Isak becomes, the selection headaches will follow.—
Verb
-
There’s a kitchenette stocked with a Nespresso machine, a deep soaking bathtub for relaxation, and sweet outdoor terrace perfect for watching the sunset or indulging in happy hour.—
-
Spray coated the covered clubhouse walls, soaking the shirts that proclaimed Toronto’s October future.—
Cite this Entry
“Stinging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stinging. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share