stinging Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a kind of pain; something as sudden and painful as being stung
    sting.
    • the sting of death
    • he felt the stinging of nettles
  2. verb cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort
    bite; burn; sting.
    • The sun burned his face
  3. verb deliver a sting to
    bite; prick; sting.
    • A bee stung my arm yesterday
  4. verb saddle with something disagreeable or disadvantageous
    stick; sting.
    • They stuck me with the dinner bill
    • I was stung with a huge tax bill
  5. verb cause a stinging pain
    twinge; prick; sting.
    • The needle pricked his skin
  6. verb cause an emotional pain, as if by stinging
    sting.
    • His remark stung her
  7. adjective satellite (of speech) harsh or hurtful in tone or character
    cutting; edged.
    • cutting remarks
    • edged satire
    • a stinging comment

WordNet

Sting"ing adjective
Definitions
  1. Piercing, or capable of piercing, with a sting; inflicting acute pain as if with a sting, goad, or pointed weapon; pungent; biting; as, stinging cold; a stinging rebuke. -- Sting"ing*ly, adv.

Webster 1913