The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English
sting
verb (HURT) /stɪŋ/ (stung, stung)Definition
1. Definition
2. Practise
› [I or T] If an insect, plant, or animal stings, it produces a small but painful injury, usually with a poison, by brushing against the skin or making a very small hole under the skin: Do all types of bee sting? I got stung by a wasp yesterday. I didn't see the nettles until I was stung by them.Animal and plant biology - general words › [I or T] to cause sharp but usually temporary pain: The soap/smoke/sweat stung my eyes. This type of disinfectant doesn't sting, even if you put it on a fresh cut.Pain and painful › [I or T] If someone's unkind remarks sting, they make you feel upset and annoyed: She knew he was right, but his words still stung. He was stung by her criticisms. She managed to give a stinging reply (= an angry answer intended to upset), before slamming down the phone.Making people sad, shocked and upset
(Definition of sting verb (HURT) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
Focus on the pronunciation of sting
Browse the Dictionary
Browse the Thesaurus
More Results for “sting”
SMART Thesaurus: Making people sad, shocked and upset
Synonyms and related words:
- aback adverb
- amiss adjective
- appal verb
- be laughing on the other side of your face idiom
- bother verb (WORRY)
- gnaw verb (FEEL WORRIED)
- go/fall to pieces idiom
- grieve verb
- haunt verb (REPEATEDLY TROUBLE)
- hit/touch a (raw) nerve idiom
- horrify verb
- offend verb (UPSET)
- offense noun
- sear verb
- shake sb up phrasal verb
- shake/rock sth to its foundations idiom
- shocker noun
- sorrow verb
- take sb aback phrasal verb
- toxic adjective (UNPLEASANT)
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Word of the Day
Blog
Read our blog about how the English language behaves.
New Words
Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.
