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
1
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
2
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of sting
Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
Misdiagnosed by Dennis as a blithering NPC, Marcie turns out to be the emotional turnkey for the entire movie — even more so than Roman and Rocky’s mom (Lauren Graham), who pops in just long enough to suggest that losing a twin might sting with the same intensity as losing a child.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2025
Ivan Amato, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025
Taake was allegedly caught in a 2016 sting operation by the internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in the Houston-area for this crime.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sting 
Verb
That doesn’t mean the absences to Golden State’s second and third most valuable players haven’t stung.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
Misdiagnosed by Dennis as a blithering NPC, Marcie turns out to be the emotional turnkey for the entire movie — even more so than Roman and Rocky’s mom (Lauren Graham), who pops in just long enough to suggest that losing a twin might sting with the same intensity as losing a child.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
Among the caterpillars Walker has studied are puss, or asp, caterpillars, whose stings can be excruciating.
—Ivan Amato, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025
Taake was allegedly caught in a 2016 sting operation by the internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in the Houston-area for this crime.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sting
Verb
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The goal of variable pricing isn’t to gouge motorists during busy times, but instead to charge less when demand is low so some spots still get filled and charge more when demand is high so spots don’t get monopolized, officials said.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
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During the assault, Cordova used his hands to try to gouge the carrier’s eyes, officials said.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacramento Bee,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The next year, White plucked Jennifer Coolidge and Jon Gries from the season 1 cast and transported them to Sicily.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
31 Jan. 2025
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Pickens was a healthy scratch down the stretch, losing playing time to Jonathan Ford, who was plucked off the Packers’ practice squad.—
Kevin Fishbain,
The Athletic,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Medical debt has pushed families into desperate situations, with some turning to shoplifting over-the-counter medications for their children or falling prey to scams promising cheap but ineffective treatments.—
Tony Christiano,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
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Fake florist scam Ordering flowers for Valentine’s Day?—
Jan Diaz,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Feeling that glimpse, at my luckiest moments, as an electric tingle racing the length of my spine.—
Leath Tonino,
Outside Online,
13 Jan. 2025
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Powered by pink clay and charcoal, Amika Reset Pink Charcoal Scalp Cleansing Oil gently absorbs impurities while soothing with a refreshing menthol tingle that takes wash day to luxurious new heights.—
Erin Parker,
Allure,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Mark Darcy, however... While Daniel may have been able to cheat death, Mark, sadly, was not.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
12 Feb. 2025
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Some types of men are less likely to cheat than others — at least according to a pair of seasoned Arizona divorce attorneys.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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These are dunked in grapefruit ponzu or spicy kimchi dressing or simply squeezed with lemon.—
John Metcalfe,
The Mercury News,
14 Feb. 2025
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It’s further squeezed by competition from others in the space, including Etsy, Michael’s and Hobby Lobby, as well as big-box and online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.—
Caroline Petrow-Cohen,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The memorandum also directs the DOJ to engage in prosecutions under laws meant to prevent fraud and criminal conspiracies against the U.S. government.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacramento Bee,
8 Feb. 2025
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Trump and Vice President JD Vance have emphasized that cuts to Social Security and Medicare are largely off the table except for fraud and abuse.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Thousands of shoppers have given this spin scrubber a perfect rating, with many praising its convenience and efficiency and its ability to save them from muscle aches and pains.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
11 Feb. 2025
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Ensuring yours are ready for your next adventure could be the difference between having a fulfilling trip and spending more time thinking about your aches and pains than the scenery.—
Adam Roy,
Outside Online,
9 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near sting
Cite this Entry
“Sting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sting. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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