to sting

Examples

• All

• Criticism tends to sting more than praise elevates.

• Her refusal would sting rather than hurt him; the sensation would be ego-deep and of brief duration.

  Fiction book (1994)

• The past can sting, erode at your soul, shake you to the core.

  You People (2018)

• "So who asked you to?" I said, shame and anger stinging in my throat.

  Fiction book (1998)

• Tears sting my eyes, and I force them back, clearing my throat, shoving down hurt.

  Fiction book (2001)

• That stings me.

  Woo (1998)

• Wow, that really stings.

  The Garfield Movie (2024)

• Again, Willen felt tears sting his eyes and hastily blinked them back.

  Fiction book (1992)

• And when a Long Islander says you're delusional, it stings because they're mostly Jets fans.

• Her harsh words really sting when I thought we were friends.

Synonyms

H

to hurt

vsto sting

∞ 1.0

Make someone suffer physical or emotional pain

is specific to sharp emotional pain rather than general physical or emotional harm

H

to hit

vsto sting

∞ 2.8

To suddenly make someone feel a strong emotion

is narrower, emphasising a sudden sharp emotional hurt rather than general impact

B

to burn

vsto sting

706 1.8

To feel a hot, stinging pain after heat or chemicals

focuses specifically on sharp emotional pain rather than heat or broad feeling

B

to bite

vsto sting

92 3.1

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

focuses on emotional sharp pain rather than physical injury imagery

P

to pain

vsto sting

45 4.9

To make someone feel sad or upset

is more specific, meaning a sudden sharp emotional feeling rather than broad distress

P

to pierce

vsto sting

28 4.6

To cause a sudden strong feeling in someone

is more about a brief sharp hurt rather than deep lasting impact

P

to prick

vsto sting

14 4.7

To cause a small sharp pain like a sting

means the same hurt but not necessarily as brief or pinpointed

P

to prickle

vsto sting

4 4.0

Cause a small stinging or tingling feeling on the skin

is stronger and more sharply painful rather than mild tingling

S

to sting like a bee

vsto sting

• Informal

3 7.7

To say something that hurts someone suddenly and sharply

causes sharp emotional pain but is less deliberately forceful

N

to nettle

vsto sting

2 6.8

To annoy or upset someone in a way that feels sharp

is stronger and more directly painful than mere annoyance

L

to lacerate

vsto sting

1 7.6

To deeply hurt someone's feelings

is milder, causing sharp pain without deep long-term damage

H

to have a sting

vsto sting

1 7.1

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

is the shorter single-word form for the same action

Antonyms

C

to comfort

172 1.0

To make someone feel less upset or in pain

C

to console

40 3.9

To comfort someone who feels sad or disappointed

Idioms

S

to sting like a bee

• Informal

3 7.7

To say something that hurts someone suddenly and sharply

H

to have a sting

1 7.1

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

Compounds

S

sting operation

25 5.1

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

B

bee sting

12 1.0

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

S

sharp sting

1 3.2

A sudden, strong, short pain like a small prick

S

sting of nettle

6.7

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

How Hurtful

to devastate

221 4.9

to sting

26 3.3

to hurt

∞ 1.0

to upset

362 1.0

to irritate

78 2.9

Surface Forms

Etymology