stinging 1 of 2

adjective

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stinging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of sting
1
as in gouging
to charge (someone) too much for goods or services a nightclub that's been stinging patrons for years

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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 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 stinging
Adjective
Mungiu craftily plants the seed of this crisis in his opening shot, set in the aftermath of a stinging act of parental discipline. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026 At an early New York screening, Douglas recalls Wall Street traders being stunned by the film’s stinging accuracy. — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 Biting and stinging arthropods, such as wasps, mosquitos and spiders, account for five states. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 That move came just as the clock was running out Friday on stopgap levies the president imposed after a stinging defeat for other tariffs at the Supreme Court. — ABC News, 24 July 2026 The researchers' device aims to solve the stinging problem by physically preventing this meeting (unfortunately no images of it are available at this time). — New Atlas, 30 June 2026 Since September of 2024, federal science agencies in the US have axed nearly 120,000 employees, in a stinging loss for public research. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 25 June 2026 Jean-Philippe Mateta, named in France’s World Cup squad earlier this month, reacted superbly after Rayo keeper Augusto Batalla could only parry a stinging Wharton shot from the edge of the box. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 27 May 2026 Coming up short in the 2025 ISL boys lacrosse championship left a stinging sensation for Tabor Academy. — Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 17 May 2026
Verb
Continue reading … CROSSING THE AISLE — Manchin delivers stinging rebuke to Schumer with surprise Senate campaign stop. — FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 That money has been transformed into frequent online and television ads either stinging or lauding the two candidates. — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026 Indy struggled against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in its season opener, then took a stinging 33-30 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. — Elise Devlin, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2026 As of today, with that $7 million ticking fee to WBD shareholders kicking in October 1 and Ellison’s leaked threat to pull up HQ stakes outta the Golden State still stinging, the deal still sits in legal limbo. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026 And in the Northwest, unseasonably warm temperatures combined with drier fall conditions may extend ant and stinging insect activity. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 Sep. 2026 Some baby hummingbirds disguise themselves as caterpillars with stinging hairs to avoid predators, while octopus, squid, and cuttlefish use camouflage to blend in with their surroundings and hide. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026 How to prevent wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets Proactive maintenance can keep stinging insects from setting up home on your property. — Nick Perry, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 Democrats, fresh off of stinging losses in the 2024 election up and down the ballot, have rebounded with their voting base and independents unhappy with the status quo. — Stephen Fowler, NPR, 8 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stinging
  1. biting
  2. gouging
  3. plucking
  4. bitter
  5. cheating
  6. squeezing
  7. sharp
  8. soaking
Adjective
  • Her version is louder and more biting, but never at the sacrifice of the track’s spirit.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In 2022, Lee County’s Mosquito Control District decided to try aiming radiation at mosquitoes instead, specifically the biting, disease-carrying kind — Aedes aegypti.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of biting
Verb
  • During Fortescue’s early years, the environmental toll of gouging metals from the earth was all but an afterthought.
    — Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping during the war in Gaza led to a decrease in traffic through the Suez Canal, gouging Egypt’s revenues.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of gouging
Verb
  • Getting up from their seats backstage at Bear Shadow, Pandolfi and Falco head over to meet up with the other three Dusters who are plucking a few notes on their instruments under a large maple tree behind the stage.
    — Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Upending global trade, plucking a dictator out of Caracas, escalating to full-on war with Iran, shredding alliances, courting despots — the major twists and turns of this administration never end.
    — Kate Andrews, Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of plucking
Adjective
  • The classmate, Joleene Altum, sued Griffin for emotional distress and invasion of privacy, and Griffin countersued for defamation in a bitter, ongoing legal battle.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The episode was a bitter lesson for the group, resulting in resentment and division.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of bitter
Verb
  • With all respect to West’s previous cheating-on-television canon, War might be his finest adulterous work.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Wood was vindicated three years later, when a league investigation revealed the Astros had been cheating in 2017, stealing signs from a television monitor next to the dugout and relaying them to batters by banging on trash cans.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheating
Verb
  • The remarks followed the release of strong quarterly results, with revenue and earnings beating analysts’ expectations despite a 6% downturn in revenue due to pressure squeezing all broadband purveyors.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Fuel expenses are squeezing daily household budgets and tightening cash flow toward the end of the month, with reports indicating a growing number of French employees are requesting payroll advances to manage month end expenses.
    — , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeezing
Adjective
  • Someone slaps a strip of medical tape across their lips, promises you deeper sleep, fewer snores and a sharper jawline by morning, then cuts to a dreamy sunrise shot.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • And while Kim tends to gravitate toward body-conscious silhouettes and plenty of skin, Kris has made a signature of sharp tailoring, statement accessories, and an unapologetic dose of flash.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of sharp
Verb
  • Spacious rooms, skyline views, and soaking tubs offer comfort for all ages, and Buffalo Bayou Park across the street is ideal for biking or outdoor play.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Meltwater from the mountain’s glaciers and thawing permafrost flows down through ancient channels, fueling the great rivers and soaking into these sprawling boglands.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of soaking

Browse Nearby Words

stinginess
stinging
stings
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stinging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stinging. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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