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
John Calvelli, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, beyond the painful stings some can deliver, ants can also have detrimental effects on the garden.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 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
While Thursday’s loss stings, Bubic is hopeful KC can rebound this weekend.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
But losing two players with first-round potential in McNeil and Able stings.
—Brendan Marks, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Purple flags were also raised to warn beachgoers of the danger of jellyfish stings.
—Joan Murray, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
However, the reaction may vary from person to person, and may be worse for someone who is allergic to insect stings.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Schmidt, who was research director of the Southwest Biological Institute, sorted stings into four tiers of pain, from the mildly annoying to the intensely painful.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Hannah Chubb, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
This scene stings with recognition.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
That’s the part that stings the most.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
The team had the best record in the major leagues as recently as June 13 of last season before collapsing and missing the postseason — a collapse that still stings for fans.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 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
Noun
Despite a severe allergy to bee stings, Sean cares for hives across New York City.
—John Calvelli, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, beyond the painful stings some can deliver, ants can also have detrimental effects on the garden.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 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
While Thursday’s loss stings, Bubic is hopeful KC can rebound this weekend.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
But losing two players with first-round potential in McNeil and Able stings.
—Brendan Marks, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Purple flags were also raised to warn beachgoers of the danger of jellyfish stings.
—Joan Murray, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
However, the reaction may vary from person to person, and may be worse for someone who is allergic to insect stings.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Schmidt, who was research director of the Southwest Biological Institute, sorted stings into four tiers of pain, from the mildly annoying to the intensely painful.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
Nothing stings more than seeing a shipping fee tacked on top of an order that was already a splurge.
—Hannah Chubb, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
This scene stings with recognition.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
That’s the part that stings the most.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
The team had the best record in the major leagues as recently as June 13 of last season before collapsing and missing the postseason — a collapse that still stings for fans.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stings
Noun
-
Names, phone numbers and addresses create a powerful starting point for scams.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
Indonesia began implementing a new government regulation at the end of March banning children younger than 16 from accessing digital platforms that could expose them to addiction, pornography, online scams and cyberbullying.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Iran’s political leadership has been at pains to dispel reports of infighting and to project a unified approach to the country’s military objectives and negotiating strategy.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 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
-
Carrera now plucks the melody in single notes.—
Peter Wayne Moe,
Longreads,
26 Mar. 2026
-
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
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
-
For the United States, the blockade squeezes Iran’s already weakened economy by denying it long-term cash flow.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The waves, which were first used in Boston in 2011, help spread things out so that runners don’t have to walk after the start, when Main Street in Hopkinton squeezes to just 39 feet wide.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 36-year-old has dealt with lower-body aches and pains throughout his Yankees tenure, and the tennis elbows that forced him to miss the first few months of the 2025 season still require maintenance.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Mary Jannotta sliced meat and cheese behind deli counters at Acme and Pathmark supermarkets in the Philadelphia suburbs for decades, developing aches that came with working on her feet.—
Craig R. McCoy,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stings. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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