sting

transitive verb stung, stinging

to prick or wound with a sting: said of plants and insects
to cause sharp, sudden, smarting pain to, by or as by pricking with a sharp point: the cold wind stinging their cheeks
to cause to suffer mentally; make unhappy: to be stung by one's conscience
to stir up or stimulate suddenly and sharply: stung into action by her words
Slang to cheat; esp., to overcharge

intransitive verb

to use a sting; prick or wound with a sting
to cause or feel sharp, smarting pain, either physical or mental: his arm stinging from the blow

noun

the act of stinging
a pain or wound resulting from or as from stinging
a thing that urges or stimulates; goad
the ability or power to sting or wound: criticism with much sting in it
a sharp-pointed organ in insects and certain other animals, used to prick, wound, or inject poison
any of the hollow, stinging hairs on some plants, as nettles
Slang an instance or method of cheating or swindling, as in a confidence game; esp., such an instance or method engaged in by law-enforcement agents to entrap criminals

Related Forms: