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to sting

to sting

91 2.3
To feel a sharp, sudden pain like an insect bite
  • verb
  • /stɪŋ/
translation icon : picar
  • The wasp will sting if you get too close to its nest.

The scorpion stings this toad and the toad dies.

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Examples

Synonyms

to hurt
vsto sting
1.0

Make someone suffer physical or emotional pain

is narrower, describing a quick sharp injury rather than broad harm
to burn
vsto sting
706 1.8

To feel a hot, stinging pain after heat or chemicals

is sharper and more sudden, usually from a small physical irritant
to bite
vsto sting
92 3.1

To cause a sharp, stinging pain, often from cold or wind

typically implies a small pointed contact rather than other causes like temperature
tingle
vsto sting
26 3.3

A small prickly feeling on the skin often caused by excitement or cold

is stronger and sharper, implying a clear injuring contact
to prick
vsto sting
14 4.7

To cause a small sharp pain like a sting

is focused on physical sudden pain especially from small external agents
sharp pain
vsto sting
10 3.3

A sudden strong feeling of hurt in one small part of the body

focuses more on pain caused by an external irritant or small agent
to pain
vsto sting
9 1.1

To make someone feel physical hurt

is specific to a sudden sharp injury often from tiny external sources
stab
vsto sting
8 3.5

A sudden sharp feeling, often of pain or strong emotion

centres more on discomfort from a small external irritant
to prickle
vsto sting
4 4.0

Cause a small stinging or tingling feeling on the skin

is more about a single sharp injury rather than a general prickly feeling
sharp sting
vsto sting
1 3.2

A sudden, strong, short pain like a small prick

has identical meaning but is the simpler single word
to pang
vsto sting
1 6.5

To feel a sudden sharp pain or a quick strong feeling of regret

is narrower, often meaning pain from a small external cause
to twinge
vsto sting
1 6.0

To feel a sudden sharp pain in the body or a quick strong feeling in the mind

highlights external small-source pain rather than general brief discomfort
to elance
vsto sting
9.9

A sudden sharp pain that passes quickly through part of the body

is similar but often implies a small external source causing the pain

Antonyms

440 1.0

A feeling of comfort when pain or worry goes away

190 1.0

A feeling of physical ease and being free from pain

Idioms

3 7.7

To say something that hurts someone suddenly and sharply

To cause a sharp feeling of hurt that lasts for a while

Compounds

A secret police plan to trick people so they commit a crime and get arrested

12 1.0

A painful, swollen spot on the skin when a bee's sharp point goes into it

1 3.2

A sudden, strong, short pain like a small prick

A painful burning feeling on the skin after touching a nettle plant

How Painful

agony
135 3.9
pain
1.0
to sting
91 2.3
twinge
17 4.9
discomfort
119 3.2

Surface Forms

sting infinitive
stinging present participle
stings third person singular
stung past
stung past participle

Etymology

Sting as a verb originally meant 'to prick' (Old English stingan) and, just like a bee's stinger, it makes a quick sharp pain, which is why to sting is to cause that pain.