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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stinging
  1. biting
  2. bitter
  3. cheating
  4. sharp
  5. soaking
  6. beating
  7. hustling
  8. bleeding
Adjective
  • Her awful journey is a raging scream against the patriarchy and a biting critique of how women are viewed, especially by other women.
    The Week US, theweek, 17 Dec. 2024
  • As playwright, Barbot sits between them, turning the mainstream obscurity of his protagonists into a biting political point, and reflecting poignantly on the long arc of history, which sure seems to take its sweet time bending toward justice.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of biting
Adjective
  • The two are likely headed for a new bitter legal fight with money at stake.
    Alina Selyukh, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The pith can be bitter, so some people don’t like the taste.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Definition of bitter
Verb
  • Most significantly, with three other dangerous Bears weapons spread to the right, safety Xavier Woods began cheating in that direction before the play began.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Alexander says having an app summarize material for a learner is not considered cheating.
    Sarah Scott, Parents, 9 Dec. 2024
Definition of cheating
Adjective
  • The policy modestly increased subsidized enrollment in 2018 and 2019 after a sharp decline in 2017.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Small business owners tend to lean Republican and the sharp increase in confidence had been widely anticipated by economists.
    Lucia Mutikani, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of sharp
Verb
  • But Harris advises against soaking your produce in a bowl.
    Allison Aubrey, NPR, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Don’t miss the steam room and soaking tub.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Dec. 2024
Definition of soaking
Verb
  • Palo Alto’s business is doing well — the company reported expectations-beating results for its fiscal 2025 first quarter, raised full year guidance, and announced a 2-for-1 stock split occurring later this month, according to Investopedia.
    Peter Cohan, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Last World Cup in Qatar was won by Lionel Messi’s Argentina, beating France in the final.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of beating
Verb
  • Those best situated to make crypto common and an essential part of life are likely much younger than the politicians out hustling for votes.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
  • That means hustling through a shower and getting dressed; a friend is picking me up for a day of thrift shopping and hitting the Amish grocery stores.
    R29 Team, refinery29.com, 11 Oct. 2024
Definition of hustling
Verb
  • There was bleeding from time to time, likely from another subchorionic hematoma, but the pregnancy progressed into her third trimester with minimal issues.
    Nancy Borowick, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024
  • In addition to head trauma, high blood pressure, tobacco and alcohol use, other causes of brain bleeds include aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, blood thinners, brain tumors, bleeding disorders and the use of drugs such as cocaine.
    Mill Etienne, Forbes, 11 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.

Thesaurus Entries Near stinging

stinginess

stinging

stings

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Cite this Entry

“Stinging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stinging. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stinging

Nglish: Translation of stinging for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of stinging for Arabic Speakers

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