sting
sting Lexical Profile
sting Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small, sharp wound or puncture inflicted by an insect, arachnid, marine animal, or plant, often accompanied by the injection of venom or an irritant.
"She applied a soothing ointment to reduce the swelling from the bee sting."
A sharp, burning physical sensation or an acute feeling of mental and emotional distress.
"Years later, he still felt the sharp sting of rejection from his first job interview."
A sharp, pointed anatomical organ found in certain insects, scorpions, and other animals, capable of piercing skin and injecting venom.
"The worker bee leaves its barbed sting behind in the skin of its attacker."
A carefully planned undercover operation, typically conducted by law enforcement, designed to catch criminals in the act of committing an offense.
"Federal agents recovered the stolen paintings during an elaborate undercover sting."
• verb
To pierce or wound a person or animal with a sharp-pointed organ or hair coated in venom or an irritant (of an insect, arachnid, marine creature, or plant).
"A wasp will sting repeatedly if its nest is disturbed."
To feel or cause a sharp, tingling, or burning physical pain, especially on the skin or in the eyes.
"The icy winter wind made her cheeks sting as she walked across the campus."
To cause someone to feel acute mental distress, hurt, or resentment, or to provoke someone into sudden action through sharp criticism.
"Her harsh remarks about his manuscript continued to sting long after the meeting ended."
To swindle, cheat, or overcharge someone financially (used especially in informal contexts).
"Tourists often get stung by exorbitant taxi fares when arriving at the airport without a reservation."
Word Nuance & Usage
In standard modern English, the past tense and past participle of 'sting' are both 'stung'; the older past tense form 'stang' is now strictly archaic or dialectal.
• Rhymes for sting
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'stingan' (to stab, pierce, or prick), derived from Proto-Germanic '*stinganą' and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root '*stengʰ-' meaning 'to push, prick, or pierce'.