Sting
volume
British pronunciation/stˈɪŋ/
American pronunciation/ˈstɪŋ/

Definition & Meaning of "sting"

Sting
01

a painful infliction caused by a small sharp and pointed organ that some insects have and use to penetrate the prey and inject poison

sting definition and meaning

What is a "sting"?

A sting refers to the sharp, sudden pain and discomfort caused by the injection of venom or irritants into the skin by insects such as bees, wasps, or ants. It usually results in redness, swelling, and sometimes itching around the affected area. In some cases, stings can cause allergic reactions, leading to more severe symptoms like difficulty breathing or swelling of the face and throat, which require immediate medical attention. Treatment for a sting typically involves washing the area with soap and water, applying a cold compress to reduce swelling, and using over-the-counter antihistamines or creams to ease the itching and discomfort.

example
Example
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She felt a sting on her arm after the bee landed on it.
The sting from the wasp left a red mark on his skin.
He winced in pain from the sting caused by the hornet.
02

a swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property

03

operation designed to catch a person committing a criminal act

04

a kind of pain; something as sudden and painful as being stung

05

a mental pain or distress

to sting
01

(of an animal or insect) to pierce the skin of another animal or a human, typically injecting poison, either in self-defense or while preying

Transitive: to sting sb
Intransitive
to sting definition and meaning
example
Example
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The bee will sting if it perceives a threat to the hive.
Mosquitoes use their proboscis to sting and feed on the blood of their hosts.
The wasp stung the child when it felt cornered.
02

to cheat or charge someone an unfairly high amount

Transitive: to sting sb
example
Example
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The mechanic stung him by adding hidden fees to the repair bill.
The vendor stung tourists with overpriced souvenirs.
The online retailer stung her with unexpected shipping charges.
03

to cause emotional pain or discomfort with a comment or remark

Intransitive
Transitive: to sting sb
example
Example
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Her blunt criticism stung him deeply, leaving him silent.
His joke stung her, even though he did n’t mean to hurt her feelings.
The teacher ’s harsh words stung the student, who felt embarrassed.
04

to create a sudden, sharp pain or burning feeling

Transitive: to sting the skin
example
Example
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The cold wind stung his face as he walked outside.
The soap stung her eyes, making them water instantly.
The icy rain stung her skin as she hurried home.
05

to experience a sudden, sharp or burning pain

Intransitive
example
Example
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His eyes stung from the smoke in the air.
The scrape on his elbow stung after he fell off his bike.
After running in the cold, his face stung from the wind.
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