sting

a painful wound caused by the thrust of an insect's stinger into skin

cause an emotional pain, as if by stinging

a mental pain or distress

operation designed to catch a person committing a criminal act

“the police conducted a sting operation”

deliver a sting to

cause a stinging pain

cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort

a kind of pain; something as sudden and painful as being stung

“the sting of death”

a swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property

saddle with something disagreeable or disadvantageous