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Sting Definition & Meaning

sting
noun
  1. a kind of pain; something as sudden and painful as being stung; "the sting of death"; "he felt the stinging of nettles"
  2. a mental pain or distress; "a pang of conscience"
  3. a painful wound caused by the thrust of an insect's stinger into skin
  4. a swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property
verb
  1. cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort; "The sun burned his face"
  2. deliver a sting to; "A bee stung my arm yesterday"
  3. saddle with something disagreeable or disadvantageous; "They stuck me with the dinner bill"; "I was stung with a huge tax bill"
  4. cause a stinging pain; "The needle pricked his skin"
  5. cause an emotional pain, as if by stinging; "His remark stung her"

"Sting" in song lyrics

See how sting is used in real songs:

  • "Birds and bees, birds sing as the bees sting"
    The 7A3 — That's How We're Livin'
  • "And rise from the streets like Sting"
    9th Prince — Raised Cain
  • "Came straight out so hard and you knew it would sting"
    A.G. — Love

Usage tips for "sting"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "sting" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for sting to find words that pair well.

Use "sting" in a verse

Now that you know what "sting" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

Frequently asked questions

What does sting mean?
a kind of pain; something as sudden and painful as being stung; "the sting of death"; "he felt the stinging of nettles" a mental pain or distress; "a pang of conscience" a painful wound caused by the thrust of an insect's stinger into skin a swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort; "The sun burned his face" deliver a sting to
What part of speech is sting?
Sting is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does sting have?
Sting has 9 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

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