sting
Definition
A sharp, burning pain or sensation, typically caused by the injection of venom from an insect or plant.
A pointed organ in certain animals, such as bees or jellyfish, used to inject venom.
An undercover operation, especially by law enforcement, designed to entrap criminals.
To cause a sharp, pungent physical or emotional pain or discomfort.
(Informal) A swindle or confidence trick, often elaborate.
Examples
The bee's sting hit me like a plot twist in a bad rom-com—unexpected and leaving me swollen with regret.
Cops ran a sting on the fake Rolex dealers; those hustlers got duped harder than a tourist at Times Square.
Her witty roast packed such a sting, he laughed it off while quietly plotting revenge over ice cream.
That ghost pepper's sting turned my mouth into a five-alarm fire—next time, I'll stick to mild salsa.