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Glite Dictionary
⚡ A sharp pain ❄️ Causing pain 💬 Harshly critical
stinging

stinging

6.3
Harsh or hurtful in a way that makes someone feel upset
  • adjective
  • /ˈstɪŋɪŋ/
translation icon : cortante
  • Her stinging remarks left him speechless and hurt.

Examples

  • The critic wrote a stinging review that upset the director.

  • He couldn't ignore her stinging comments about his performance.

  • You dress me up as a bumblebee and say I'm stinging all night, girl.

  • Athens, still stinging from their previous loss, was no fan of Sparta and gave shelter to the Exiles from Thebes.

  • One amasses silence, another chastises silence with nettles, stinging ferns I oscillate in their jaws.

Synonyms

brutal
vsstinging
50 4.1

Very direct and harsh in a way that can hurt people

is harsher in tone and aims to wound rather than just be blunt
harsh
vsstinging
47 3.9

Very strong and unpleasant to the senses, like bright light or bitter taste

is specifically aimed to wound emotionally or criticize sharply
sharp
vsstinging
46 4.2

Harsh critical words or actions that hurt others

is the same harshness but with clearer intent to hurt
abrasive
vsstinging
18 6.5

Showing little concern for other people's feelings

is harsh too but highlights deliberate emotional wounding
acrimonious
vsstinging
9 8.4

Full of angry, bitter words in a speech or argument

is harsh too but centers on sharp personal hurt rather than bitterness
blistering
vsstinging
5 7.0

Very harsh words or writing that attack someone

is equally severe but stresses wounding intent over sheer severity
barbed
vsstinging
1 6.7

Words said to hurt or criticize someone

is equally hurtful but focuses on sharp, biting criticism
searing
vsstinging
  • Offensive
1 7.2

A very harsh remark that tries to hurt someone

is similar but may be less focused on deep, lasting harm
tart
vsstinging
  • Slang
1 6.7

A sharp, biting remark that hurts or criticizes

is more focused on strong hurtful intent and severity
biting
vsstinging
5.4

Harsh, sharply critical words that hurt people

is similarly harsh but emphasizes intentional emotional wounding
cutting
vsstinging
5.2

Very hurtful in words, or sharply cold in weather

is harsh too but stresses deliberate emotional harm
sharp-worded
vsstinging
7.1

Saying harsh words to criticize someone or something

is similar but highlights intent to wound rather than just judge
edged
vsstinging
7.2

Harsh and hurtful in speech or writing

is comparably harsh but centers on causing emotional pain
stabbingly harsh
vsstinging
  • Literature
9.4

Very sharp and unpleasant in a way that causes strong pain or shock

is harsh too but centers on sharp emotional damage
scalding
vsstinging
4.8

Very harsh and sharply critical, for example in a review

is comparable but emphasizes intent to wound rather than scorch
venomed
vsstinging
9.5

Showing strong hate and trying to hurt someone

is harsh as well but focuses broadly on sharp criticism
venomous-tongued
vsstinging
  • Literature
9.4

Saying harsh, mean things that hurt people

is similarly hurtful but not always driven by personal malice

Antonyms

kind
534 1.0

Being helpful and caring toward other people

supportive
348 2.8

Willing to give help or comfort when someone needs it

Compounds

stinging nettle
1 4.6

A plant with leaves that have tiny hairs which make your skin feel hot and sore when touched

stinging hair
  • Specialized
8.9

A sharp hair on plants like nettles that releases liquid causing a burning feeling when touched

How Harsh

scathing
19 7.7
biting
5.4
stinging
6.3
cutting
5.2
sharp
46 4.2

Surface Forms

stinging positive

Morphology

stinging = sting (semi-transparent) = sting + ing

Formed from 'sting' + '-ing' but used figuratively for speech; the connection to causing pain is metaphorical rather than literal.

Etymology

Stinging comes from the verb sting, meaning 'to prick' or 'hurt' like an insect. People compare sharp words to that quick pain, so a 'stinging' remark is a sharp, hurtful comment meant to wound or embarrass.