Stung: meaning, definitions and examples

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stung

 

[ stʌŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

past tense

Stung is the past tense of the verb 'sting'. To sting means to produce a sharp pain or discomfort through a prick or thrust, typically of a sharp object or by an insect. It can also refer to causing emotional pain or distress. In the case of insects, notably bees and wasps, stinging is a method of defense or hunting. The word can also be used metaphorically to describe situations causing upset or hurt feelings.

Synonyms

bitten, hurt, pierced, pricked

Examples of usage

  • The bee stung him on his arm.
  • She stung him with her sharp words.
  • He felt stung by her unexpected criticism.
  • After the party, he realized he had been stung by her comments.

Translations

Translations of the word "stung" in other languages:

🇵🇹 picado

🇮🇳 डंक मारा

🇩🇪 gestochen

🇮🇩 disengat

🇺🇦 ужалений

🇵🇱 ukąszony

🇯🇵 刺された

🇫🇷 piqué

🇪🇸 picado

🇹🇷 sokulmuş

🇰🇷 쏘인

🇸🇦 مقرص

🇨🇿 štípaný

🇸🇰 štípaný

🇨🇳 被刺

🇸🇮 piknjen

🇮🇸 stunginn

🇰🇿 жәндіктердің шаққан

🇬🇪 დასხვეტილი

🇦🇿 yırtılmış

🇲🇽 picado

Word origin

The word 'sting' originates from the Old English 'stingan', meaning 'to prick, pierce, or prick with a sharp instrument'. This word can be traced back to Proto-Germanic *stenganą and further to Proto-Indo-European *stengʰ-, which means 'to sting' or 'to prick'. The evolution of the term involved a transition in usage from a physical action of pricking to encompass both literal and metaphorical interpretations, particularly in literature, where authors would employ the concept of stinging emotionally as well. The transformation of the root word saw variations such as 'stang' in Middle English before arriving at the modern 'sting'. The historical context shows not only the physical aspect but also a link to human interaction, highlighting the emotional repercussions of words and actions.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,394, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.