1
as in tingle
a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body
the sting of cold air against my face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in scam
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
1
2
as in to pluck
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 sting
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
Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Those feeding polyps have tentacles and stinging cells that trap plankton, then send food to a common digestive system so the entire colony feeds as one.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sting
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
Verb
But closer analysis revealed it was made of fibrous layers packed with stinging cells, pointing to a connection with cnidarians, the group that includes corals and anemones.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Those feeding polyps have tentacles and stinging cells that trap plankton, then send food to a common digestive system so the entire colony feeds as one.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sting
Noun
-
That process helps encourage gentle cell turnover without irritation, while both pomegranate and pear ferments bring a soft, enzyme-like exfoliation to the mix, giving you that smoother, glowier look—just without the tingle.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 Apr. 2026
-
O’Neal wrote about delinquents – characters whose exploits, their power, induced a creeping tingle on the back of your neck.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even without full Social Security numbers, attackers can use it to build convincing scams that feel personal.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
Authorities say 32-year-old Albert Constantin has been charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors connected with the alleged scam.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Run a putty knife along the wet popcorn ceiling to scrape off the popcorn texture, but be careful to avoid gouging the ceiling with the corner of the putty knife.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Beyond the claims itself, evidence released in the trial had revealed some unflattering conversations between Live Nation representatives, perhaps most notably a set of exchanges between two regional employees bragging to each other about gouging concertgoers on ancillary fees and parking spaces.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Orion capsule will be returned to NASA's Kennedy Space Center for additional study following the mission — but before it was plucked from the ocean, the divers managed to capture images of the capsule and its heat shield underwater.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Vikings also plucked Ryan Van Demark as a restricted free agent from the Buffalo Bills.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This day's aches and scrapes might last a little longer.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
Lyme disease symptoms to watch for Early symptoms of Lyme disease – fever, muscle aches and fatigue – generally emerge within three to 30 days after a tick bite.—
Lakshmi Chauhan,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Cohen also pointed to her work leading a task force that was convened by court order following a massive fraud scheme involving charter schools in San Diego.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The Timberwolves exposed the Nuggets as a fraud, a vapid former champion left as a chew toy in the mouth of hungry Wolves.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Fred, their oldest surviving child, was suspended from Princeton for cheating, then caught embezzling from his Seattle employer to feed, Church suspected, a gambling habit.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Venezuela contends the Americans and Europeans conspired to cheat their country out of the land.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The global economy and consumers everywhere Consumers across the world are already getting squeezed by the impacts of the war.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
-
In a behind-the-scenes shot by Alex Bramall, Princess Charlotte is seen sitting in front of Eugenie, laughing so hard her eyes are squeezed shut.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sting. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
