be stung with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be stung with" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts discussing the experience of being affected by something unpleasant, like a feeling or an event, but it is not standard. Example: "He seemed to be stung with regret after realizing his mistake."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

There was no way he was going to be stung with that thing, he said.

The New York Times

"In the event you were to do something foolish, you would be stung with a shot," the judge, William J. Martini of United States District Court here, said during a hearing last month.

The New York Times

To test the effectiveness of a cream intended to protect swimmers from jellyfish stings, 24 volunteers agreed to be stung with jellyfish tentacles for as long as 60 seconds.

The New York Times - Health

But he clearly does not want to be stung with responsibility for a Social Security freeze or new taxes.

Los Angeles Times

According to the study, people aged over 65 were the most likely to be stung - with 23% staying on their contract past the end of the fixed deal period.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Judgment will be in the eyes of the beholder, although those eyes may be stinging with rage.

The New York Times - Sports

Obinze was stung with surprise.

The New Yorker

If you have been stung with losses recently, you are less likely to take risks.

Independent

Banks, drug companies and weapons makers have all been stung with record fines recently.

The Economist

They will also protect those who fall into overdraft from being stung with unexpected fees".

The Guardian - Business

When the National's two-year deal with its supplier ended in September, the theatre was stung with a rise of £200,000.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be stung with", ensure the context clearly conveys a negative impact or emotional pain resulting from a specific event or situation. It's most effective when describing a sudden, sharp feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "be stung with" in formal or professional contexts, as it can sound melodramatic. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "be affected by" or "be impacted by" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be stung with" is to act as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving a negative sensation or impact. Ludwig examples show it describing reactions to news, feelings or events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be stung with" is a passive verb phrase that describes experiencing a sudden, sharp, and typically negative impact. While grammatically acceptable, it's not a highly common expression, and Ludwig AI signals it may sound awkward. Its usage is more frequent in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure the context warrants the slightly dramatic tone and consider alternatives like "be affected by" for more formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be affected by

A more general term indicating an influence or impact.

be afflicted by

Emphasizes suffering or distress caused by something.

be impacted by

Similar to "be affected by" but often used in a more formal or technical context.

be burdened by

Highlights the weight or responsibility imposed by something.

be troubled by

Focuses on the worry or concern caused by something.

be saddled with

Indicates being burdened with something undesirable.

be marred by

Suggests damage or imperfection caused by something.

be tainted by

Implies contamination or corruption by something.

be plagued by

Highlights persistent trouble or suffering.

be visited with

Suggests something unpleasant has occurred as a result of external forces.

FAQs

How can I use "be stung with" in a sentence?

You can use "be stung with" to describe a sudden feeling of hurt or disappointment, as in, "He seemed to "be stung with regret" after realizing his mistake."

What can I say instead of "be stung with"?

You can use alternatives like "be affected by", "be burdened with", or "be troubled by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "be stung by" or "be stung with"?

While both are grammatically possible, "be stung by" is more common when referring to a physical sting (like an insect). "Be stung with" typically implies an emotional or metaphorical sting.

What does "be stung with" imply about the experience?

The phrase "be stung with" suggests a sudden, often sharp and unpleasant, experience. It's not used for ongoing or gradual effects but rather for immediate, impactful moments.