STING Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

sting 1 of 2

noun

Definition of sting

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

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

sting

2 of 2

verb

ˈstiŋ

as in to gouge

to charge (someone) too much for goods or services a nightclub that's been stinging patrons for years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

undercharge

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

Noun

Caterpillar hairs floated on the water’s surface, leaving swimmers with a necklace of red stings. — Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026 This was in the era of mail-order CD clubs, when radio stations would pay $100 a month for one or two CDs full of background music to produce ads or stings. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026

Verb

February 19 – March 20 Your words may show where being misunderstood still stings. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026 The pair were stung more than 150 times each and airlifted to the hospital. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sting

Noun

Fruit extracts clarify excess oil and buildup, while a cooling mint complex and menthol deliver a refreshing tingle, leaving your scalp feeling clean, balanced, and freshly reset.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 June 2026
In the case of Putnam County, that tingle is a roar — our collective sense that the fraud there goes back decades.

— Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026

Definition of tingle

Noun

Earlier this year, Meta also launched scam detection for device linking requests on WhatsApp.

— Stevie Bonifield, The Verge, 13 Aug. 2026
In a social media post on Thursday, the Ojai Raptor Center alerted its supporters to potential scams involving merchandise featuring Big Bear's bald eagle, Jackie.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of scam

Verb

The shrapnel tore through the metal surrounding the engine, shattering the window at row 11, leaving a dent in the plane near row 8 and puncturing the body below the wing, as well as gouging and denting the tail, the NTSB said.

— Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Also, refrain from pressure washing aggressively, as this can gouge the wood.

— Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2026

Definition of gouge

Verb

Doubs plucked the ball over Gonzalez, who had successfully backed him near the boundary but couldn’t box out the 6-foot-2 receiver entirely.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2026
This machine will actually press the strings down between frets and pluck those strings in time, like a human guitarist.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of pluck

Noun

In your first trimester, exercises like bear crawls, side planks and bird dogs can reduce aches and pains later in pregnancy, like pelvic girdle pain, sometimes called lightning crotch.

— Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026
Symptoms typically develop between two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, chills, muscle aches, shortness of breath and coughing.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of ache

Noun

The State Bar also provides consumer information about avoiding legal fraud, including the unauthorized practice of law, and tips about avoiding immigration legal services fraud.

— Julie Sharp, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
They are further accused of common law fraud and equitable fraud.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of fraud

Verb

Not to be cheated in front of the largest assembly of Hall of Famers since the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, Schwarber flew out twice to deep center field.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Princeton University dropped its over century-old Honor Code tradition which let students take their exams without supervision, after an AI cheating scandal rattled the Ivy League institution.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheat

Verb

Cheap electric cars dominate one end of the market, Tesla occupies the premium end, and the middle is getting squeezed.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Washington is trying to choke Iran's ability to get its crude out while Tehran is squeezing the artery through which everybody else's crude gets through.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of squeeze

Browse Nearby Words

stimulus

sting

stinger

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Sting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sting. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sting

noun

verb

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