Stinging

sting  (stng)

v. stung (stng), sting·ing, stings

v.tr.

1. To pierce or wound painfully with or as if with a sharp-pointed structure or organ, as that of certain insects.

2. To cause to feel a sharp, smarting pain by or as if by pricking with a sharp point: smoke stinging our eyes.

3. To cause to suffer keenly in the mind or feelings: Those harsh words stung me bitterly.

4. To spur on by or as if by sharp irritation.

5. Slang To cheat or overcharge.

v.intr.

1. To have, use, or wound with or as if with a sharp-pointed structure or organ, as that of certain insects.

2. To cause or feel a sharp, smarting pain.

n.

1. The act of stinging.

2. The wound or pain caused by or as if by stinging.

3. A sharp, piercing organ or part, often ejecting a venomous secretion, as the modified ovipositor of a bee or wasp or the spine of certain fishes.

4. A stinging power, quality, or capacity.

5. A keen stimulus or incitement; a goad or spur: the sting of curiosity.

6. Slang A complicated confidence game planned and executed with great care, especially an operation organized and implemented by undercover agents to apprehend criminals.

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[Middle English stingen, from Old English stingan; see stegh- in Indo-European roots.]

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stinging·ly adv.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	stinging - a kind of pain; something as sudden and painful as being stung; "the sting of death"; "he felt the stinging of nettles" sting hurting, pain - a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder; "the patient developed severe pain and distension"
Adj.	1.	stinging - (of speech) harsh or hurtful in tone or character; "cutting remarks"; "edged satire"; "a stinging comment" cutting, edged unkind - lacking kindness; "a thoughtless and unkind remark"; "the unkindest cut of all"