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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stinging
  1. biting
  2. bitter
  3. cheating
  4. sharp
  5. soaking
  6. beating
  7. bleeding
Adjective
  • After Leaving Mr Mackenzie Jean Rhys, 1931 Rhys was one of those amazing, tragic, ahead-of-her-time women and her life mirrored that of Julia, the main character in this book, which is a raging scream against the patriarchy and a biting critique of how women are viewed.
    The Week UK, theweek, 2 Aug. 2024
  • The sketch seemed to be SNL’s attempt to balance the cold open’s levity with a more biting tone about the wearying stakes of deciding the nation’s leadership.
    Amanda Wicks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2024
Definition of biting
Adjective
  • That will come as a bitter blow to the workers affected.
    The Week UK, theweek, 10 Nov. 2024
  • In a bitter twist of fate, Trump made these remarks about Xi on the day that Liu Xiaobo died.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 5 Nov. 2024
Definition of bitter
Verb
  • Neither of the two has ever confirmed that the reason for their breakup was indeed cheating, and Garfield and Stone remain friends to this day.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2024
  • This might seem like cheating, but both.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2024
Definition of cheating
Adjective
  • Washington could’ve been sharper on that possession — Jayden Daniels missed an open receiver on a crosser one play before the Ekeler drop.
    Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
  • Since 2000, there has been a sharp increase in pediatric cannabis calls to the nation’s poison centers.
    Dr. Jerrold B. Leikin, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
Definition of sharp
Verb
  • While recipes and tips vary slightly, it is generally made by soaking uncooked rice in cold water and then sifting away the rice.
    Alice Rosati, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024
  • The primary bath has a soaking tub and a dressing area.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2024
Definition of soaking
Verb
  • But beating the Eagles — on the road and in a short week — would certify Washington in a way the previous 10 weeks haven’t.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The finance sector has had a blowout year, with major banks beating expectations on strong revenue growth, continued net interest income strength, and favorable projections through year’s end and into 2025.
    Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
Definition of beating
Verb
  • One protester was taken to an ambulance due to bleeding.
    Reuters, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024
  • Strokes are caused when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain or, less frequently, when a blood vessel ruptures and causes bleeding in the brain.
    Meg Tirrell, CNN, 19 Oct. 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 30 Nov. 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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