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
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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
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Recent Examples of stinging
Corinne S Kennedy, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 25 Jan. 2026
The itchy rash is accompanied by intense stinging, pain, and burning.
—Fara Rosenzweig, Outside, 24 Jan. 2026
Powell disclosed it with a stinging online rebuke last Sunday.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
The more stinging irony here is that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping probably approved these public statements with a chuckle.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
Justice Benjamin Curtis, from Massachusetts, wrote a stinging dissent and resigned from the Court shortly afterward, reportedly in part because of the decision.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent oversaw a series of unorthodox steps aimed at stabilizing Argentine assets after the peso had plunged in the wake of Milei’s party suffering a stinging defeat in a key provincial ballot last month.
—Daniel Flatley, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Terry Smith will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of the season for the Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten), who began the year with hopes of winning the national title only to have those hopes evaporate by early October with three consecutive losses, each one more stinging than the last.
—Travis Johnson, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
In the end, however, Disney handed a stinging defeat to Peltz.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2025
Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Senior lawmaker Angela Rayner, a popular figure on the left of the party, is still stinging after being forced to resign as deputy prime minister in September for failing to pay enough tax on a home purchase.
—Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
This approach supports the skin barrier and reduces the likelihood of irritation, tightness or stinging after bathing.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Nedeljkovic could be back in net Saturday afternoon when the Sharks (27-21-4) play the Calgary Flames (21-26-6), hoping to bounce back from a stinging 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
Luhmann, who traveled from Illinois to Minnesota to document the immigration enforcement surge, said his hands were stinging from the different smoke bombs and pepper sprays deployed that day.
—Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
When treating frostbite at this stage, a person might feel stinging, burning and swelling in the affected area.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
Victor Wembanyama said pretty much the same thing about the young Spurs in finding a bit of a silver lining after the stinging loss to their Interstate 10 rivals.
—Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Jan. 2026
University of Miami fans, still stinging after a dramatic loss to Indiana in the national championship football game, turned their attention to the men’s basketball team on Tuesday night.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
After a stinging loss at Wichita State over the weekend, Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway is still figuring out why the Tigers aren't playing their best.
—Corinne S Kennedy, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 25 Jan. 2026
The itchy rash is accompanied by intense stinging, pain, and burning.
—Fara Rosenzweig, Outside, 24 Jan. 2026
Powell disclosed it with a stinging online rebuke last Sunday.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
The more stinging irony here is that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping probably approved these public statements with a chuckle.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
Justice Benjamin Curtis, from Massachusetts, wrote a stinging dissent and resigned from the Court shortly afterward, reportedly in part because of the decision.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent oversaw a series of unorthodox steps aimed at stabilizing Argentine assets after the peso had plunged in the wake of Milei’s party suffering a stinging defeat in a key provincial ballot last month.
—Daniel Flatley, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Terry Smith will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of the season for the Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten), who began the year with hopes of winning the national title only to have those hopes evaporate by early October with three consecutive losses, each one more stinging than the last.
—Travis Johnson, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
In the end, however, Disney handed a stinging defeat to Peltz.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
Seattle fans are hoping to erase the stinging memory of Super Bowl 49 – when the Seahawks famously decided not to run from the 1-yard line and saw Malcolm Butler intercept Russell Wilson to seal a 28-24 Patriots win.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Senior lawmaker Angela Rayner, a popular figure on the left of the party, is still stinging after being forced to resign as deputy prime minister in September for failing to pay enough tax on a home purchase.
—Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
This approach supports the skin barrier and reduces the likelihood of irritation, tightness or stinging after bathing.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Nedeljkovic could be back in net Saturday afternoon when the Sharks (27-21-4) play the Calgary Flames (21-26-6), hoping to bounce back from a stinging 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
Luhmann, who traveled from Illinois to Minnesota to document the immigration enforcement surge, said his hands were stinging from the different smoke bombs and pepper sprays deployed that day.
—Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
When treating frostbite at this stage, a person might feel stinging, burning and swelling in the affected area.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
Victor Wembanyama said pretty much the same thing about the young Spurs in finding a bit of a silver lining after the stinging loss to their Interstate 10 rivals.
—Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Jan. 2026
University of Miami fans, still stinging after a dramatic loss to Indiana in the national championship football game, turned their attention to the men’s basketball team on Tuesday night.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stinging
Adjective
-
The Chill Factor Perhaps the most biting statistic of the season so far is the temperature.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Morbidly Jewish finds Raanan at his most biting, acerbic, angry, Jewish, and, as always…loud.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The price-gouging allegation dates back to the early months of the pandemic, when panic over shortages led to massive supermarket shopping sprees, and some products, such as eggs, saw sharp price increases.—
Imelda García,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Those dollars have been won through cases the district attorney has joined against major corporations, including price-gouging lawsuits against Walmart and Lowe’s, an environmental lawsuit against Tesla and a case alleging deceptive business practices by HelloFresh, a meal-kit subscription company.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
According to its website, Butcher & Singer is an homage to the glitz and class of 1940s Hollywood, reaching into the past, plucking the best and brightest aspects of a bygone era.—
Courtney Cherry,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The Bills scooped up a second Broncos assistant in as many days, plucking Jim Leonhard to lead Joe Brady’s defense.—
Torrey Hart,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Its leader, Tarique Rahman, the son of former prime minister and bitter Hasina rival, the late Khaleda Zia, has since returned to Bangladesh after 17 years of exile and now appears the frontrunner to win.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Their 32 points after 25 games have them one above their Sunday hosts and bitter rivals in 13th place in the Premier League, nine clear of the relegation zone.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Among the reasons Belichick was not inducted are his involvement in cheating scandals, such as Spygate and Deflategate, according to ESPN.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Cornyn’s campaign responded with a taunt over Paxton’s divorce and cheating scandal.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The solar sector has been grappling with a prolonged price slump and oversupply, squeezing margins even as leading producers continue to add capacity.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
-
For generations, Americans who wanted orange juice without the work of squeezing fresh fruit cracked open a can and watched a cylinder of frozen juice go ker-plunk into a pitcher.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That's partly correlation -- healthier people are more likely to work than sicker people -- but staying in the workplace can also help people stay sharp, according to Debra Whitman, chief public policy officer for AARP.—
Paige Winfield Cunningham The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The tension in a luge sled allows athletes to manipulate it just so, digging in the runners and steering with sharp precision around curves.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Make sure to use a damp mop rather than a soaking wet one, or use a floor spray designed for hardwood floors and a dry cleaning pad to clean the surface.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
-
For extra protection, Stowell suggests soaking strawberries in a mixture of one part white vinegar to three parts water for five to 10 minutes, then rinsing thoroughly.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stinging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stinging. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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