Meaning & use
Stinging
Last updated
Causing a sharp, burning pain, either physically or emotionally.
See it in a sentence
The stinging nettles left red marks on her legs.
His stinging remarks about her work left her in tears.
A note on using this word
Used both literally, for insect or plant stings, and figuratively, for hurtful words or criticism.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
soothing
Another way to use it
2. verb
Injecting venom or an irritant via a sting, as an insect or plant does.
A wasp was stinging anyone who got too close to the nest.
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