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
Samantha Riedel, Them., 24 Sep. 2025
About 20 million Americans have food allergies, and 225 people die every year from anaphylaxis after severe reactions to food, insect stings or bites, medications or other substances.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Bites can cause regional discomfort and redness, similar to bee stings.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
For researchers, the dismantling of the birthplace of climate modeling stings.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
That’s where the rollback on compensation rules stings.
—AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025
Over time, though, the lack of advancement stings.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
In this world, every heartbreak stings like a million acupuncture needles.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
At Delaware's Lewes Beach, Beach Patrol Captain Strohm Edwards has seen more jellyfish this year than any other and stings have tripled.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025
Heather Straughter, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The first mozzie of the evening stings my arm.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
But this kind of comment often stings.
—Time, 26 Aug. 2025
Losing stings more than winning pleases.
—Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The memory of that second defeat against Mount Carmel still stings.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
But even as the pain of the Green Bay loss still stings as it’s mentioned, Jerry doesn’t seem keen on stepping away from the action anytime soon.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2025
That familiarity stings, and keeps concern lingering.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
While Mean Girls is technically a comedy, its depiction of girl-on-girl cattiness stings incredibly true.
—Michelle Kung, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
Trujillo further noted that such stings closely resemble tactics used in the past decade by Port Authority police, who settled a class action lawsuit over similar arrests in 2022, promising to end plainclothes bathroom patrols and step up sensitivity training.
—Verb
Courtesy Heather Straughter Even 14 years later, the memory of it being asked still stings.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for stings
Noun
-
North Korean and Chinese hackers are already using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to break into companies, forge identities, and run elaborate scams.—
-
However, crypto ATMs can be prone to scams.—
Noun
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In the years after Sony acquired Columbia Pictures in 1989, there were some infamous integration pains, as the culture of the Japanese electronics conglomerate struggled to come to grips with Hollywood’s ways.—
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Fans have long complained about the pains of buying tickets to their favorite shows on sites like Ticketmaster and Live Nation.—
Verb
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In 2017, he was recalled after backing the $5 billion yearly gas tax that still gouges at the pump.—
Verb
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There may be even greater reasons to put an ad that plucks the heartstrings in front of a broader crowd.—
Verb
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This liner then rapidly squeezes a magnetized target, creating the intense heat and pressure needed for fusion to occur, the same process that powers the sun.—
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Keeping tires properly inflated not only extends their life but also squeezes more miles out of every charge—a win for the wallet and the planet.—
Noun
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Listeriosis is commonly associated with fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion and gastrointestinal symptoms, per the FSIS.—
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The mental load weighing on him disappeared when his lingering aches did as well.—
Verb
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The costume department hustles to reattach a limping sole as the star breathes through the heat.—
Noun
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Sharp cracks of gunfire pierced the morning air, loud, jarring pangs that echoed off the concrete.—
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Its high-fiber content combined with it only having 40 to 45 calories per fruit means kiwis can also help with healthy weight management by curbing hunger pangs without adding many calories to your diet.—
Cite this Entry
“Stings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stings. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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