stinging 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of stingingnext
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stinging
  1. biting
  2. bitter
  3. cheating
  4. sharp
  5. soaking
  6. beating
  7. hustling
  8. bleeding
Adjective
  • Chad and Darlene confide in each other and bond, a little too closely, over their similar biting humor.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The following day, during an episode on his Never Shut Up podcast and YouTube show, Wiley compared Clark’s remarks in reaction to Jackson’s defeat to his more biting words following Allen’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in last year’s NFL Divisional Playoff Round.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Definition of biting
Adjective
  • If brewed too hot, the green tea will be bitter; some high-end Japanese green tea need temps as cool as 160ºF. If brewed too cool, the black teas will lack sweetness.
    — Jesse Raub, Bon Appétit, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The stakes couldn't have been higher, and the atmosphere was electric as the two WWE Superstars prepared to finally settle their bitter grudge.
    — Russ Weakland, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of bitter
Verb
  • And no, this isn’t some cheating scandal or love triangle.
    — Chris Branch, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Niemann, who had previously admitted to cheating in online games, denied Carlsen's allegations.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2024
Definition of cheating
Adjective
  • Banks that embrace this shift can gain tangible advantages: sharper operations, happier customers and innovation that happens in weeks, not quarters.
    — Jitender Jain, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Strange Journey arrives at one of the last moments when its core journey isn’t tinged with melancholy and mortality, with Curry still in strong and enthusiastic form after his 2012 stroke and most of the other principals coming across with sharp, high-personality memories.
    — Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of sharp
Verb
  • Rice water is a starchy liquid that results from soaking the grain in water or cooking it in water, Khetarpal explains.
    — Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Consider soaking the area with a warm, wet compress before applying.
    — Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Jan. 2025
Definition of soaking
Verb
  • As the run progresses, players will earn money by beating rounds (called Blinds) which can be used to purchase Jokers (permanent modifiers and multipliers), Tarot cards (one-time use effects), and Planet cards (poker hand level ups).
    — Scott Robertson, Rolling Stone, 24 Dec. 2024
  • From the late glory of beating Manchester City to the stress dream of playing Tottenham and going out of the Carabao Cup, to being beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth.
    — Nick Miller, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of beating
Verb
  • This is indeed a car that will reward you for hustling it down a twisty road should the desire arise.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025
  • And for Lil Baby, one of the hottest artists out at the moment, the transition from hustling in the streets of Atlanta to earning over $100 million in record deals and endorsements came with a harsh financial wake-up call.
    — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of hustling
Verb
  • The tactic makes sense to prevent darker pigments from bleeding onto the lighter items.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Instead, the bruises and bleeding in the child’s brain were the lingering result of a traumatic birth.
    — Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of bleeding
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.

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“Stinging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stinging. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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