Definition

Describing something that can cause a sharp, often painful sensation, like a bee sting or a burning feeling.

Example

The stinging sensation from the jellyfish made her jump back.

Conversation

I got stung by a bee today, and it was really painful.

Ouch! That sounds rough; I hate that stinging sensation.

Yeah, it felt like my arm was on fire for a bit.

I can imagine! I always keep some ice handy for that kind of pain.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To cause a sharp, often sudden pain or discomfort, usually by injecting venom or irritating the skin.

Example

The bee was stinging me, and it hurt a lot.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I got stung by a bee today and my arm is still stinging.

Ouch! That sounds painful. Did you put anything on it?

Yeah, I used some cream, but it still keeps stinging.

Root Explanation

Stinging → It is formed from "sting" (from Old English "stingan", meaning to pierce or prick) and the suffix "-ing" (indicating the action or process of). The word "stinging" refers to the action of piercing or pricking, often associated with pain or irritation.

Memory Tip

Think of the action of 'piercing' ('sting') that causes a sharp sensation, which is what 'stinging' describes.

Visually Confused Words