26984 words

sting

17 definitions • 23 examples
1
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 in the skin:

Examples:

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.
2
to cause sharp but usually temporary pain:

Examples:

The soap/smoke/sweat stung my eyes.
This type of disinfectant doesn't sting, even if you put it on a fresh cut.
3
If someone's unkind remarks sting, they make you feel upset and annoyed:

Examples:

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.
4
to charge someone a surprisingly large amount of money for something:

Examples:

The bank stung me for £50 in charges when I got overdrawn.
5
a sudden burning pain in your eyes, on your skin, etc., or the ability to cause such pain:

Examples:

She had several bee stings.
the sting of salt in a wound
Some types of jellyfish have a powerful sting.
6
the feeling of being upset by something:

Examples:

the sting of defeat
7
a pointed part of an insect, plant, or animal that goes through a person's or animal's skin and leaves behind poison
8
a carefully planned and complicated plan which deceives people so that criminals can steal something :

Examples:

A bank employee was involved in the sting in which $5 million was stolen.
9
a police action to catch criminals in which the police pretend to be criminals:

Examples:

a sting operation
10
a very short animation (= film using moving drawings) used as a form of advertising for a brand (= product name), TV channel, etc.
11
(esp. of insects, plants, and animals) to produce a small but painful injury by making a very small hole in the skin:

Examples:

[ I ] Why do bees sting?
12
If something stings, it causes you to feel pain:

Examples:

[ T ] Cold air stung Jack’s lungs.
[ I ] The soap made his eyes sting.
13
If someone’s remarks sting you, they make you feel upset and annoyed:

Examples:

[ T ] Managers were stung by criticism from environmentalists.
14
an operation in which police officers or others pretend to be criminals so they can catch people committing crimes:

Examples:

Officers set up a sting in which they sold him the jewels, and when he drove off with them they arrested him.
15
a small but painful injury caused when an insect or animal makes a small hole in the skin:

Examples:

Bee stings covered his hands.
16
to charge someone a large amount of money for something, especially when this is unfair:

Examples:

sting sb for sth The bank stung me for €50 in charges.
17
to cause someone to lose money:

Examples:

We have been stung by rising interest rates.

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