Pang vs. Sting — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 7, 2024
A pang is a sudden, sharp pain or distressing emotion, while a sting is a painful sensation caused by an insect's venom or something that pricks or wounds.
Difference Between Pang and Sting
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Key Differences
A pang refers to a sudden, sharp pain that can be physical or emotional. Physically, it may be a sudden cramp, while emotionally, it can be a strong feeling of guilt, longing, or regret. A sting, on the other hand, often describes the pain caused by an insect bite or a sharp object, giving a pricking or burning sensation.
Pangs are generally internal sensations, often associated with internal organs like the stomach or heart and can include "hunger pangs" or "pangs of guilt." Stings, however, are external and usually result from an insect like a bee or wasp injecting venom through its sting or sharp objects like needles causing pain.
Pangs can be metaphorical, indicating emotional experiences like remorse or homesickness. Stings are more literal, referring to actual physical pain but also metaphorically representing something that causes distress or offense.
Pangs usually subside over time, particularly emotional ones. Stings may require immediate attention to remove the stinger or alleviate pain, especially in the case of allergic reactions.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Sudden sharp pain or emotion
Pain from an insect bite or prick
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Type
Physical or emotional
Physical (venom or prick)
Common Causes
Hunger, guilt, remorse, longing
Bees, wasps, needles, sharp objects
Duration
Usually brief, but recurring
Brief or lasting, depending on cause
Treatment
Rest, diet, emotional support
First aid for venom or pricks
Compare with Definitions
Pang
A sudden, sharp pain or emotional distress.
She felt a pang of guilt when she remembered missing her friend's birthday.
Sting
A sharp pain caused by an insect or pricking object.
The bee's sting left a red, swollen mark on his arm.
Pang
A sharp stomach pain due to hunger.
The long hike left him with severe hunger pangs.
Sting
An injury caused by an insect's venomous barb.
He was hospitalized after suffering a severe insect sting.
Pang
An emotional ache for something or someone.
A pang of longing hit her as she looked at old family photos.
Sting
A burning or tingling feeling in the skin.
The cream caused a mild stinging sensation on her hands.
Pang
A strong sense of regret or sorrow.
She felt a pang of remorse after the argument with her sister.
Sting
To wound or cause pain with a sting or sharp object.
The jellyfish's tentacle stung her leg.
Pang
An intense feeling of remorse.
He felt a pang of guilt after realizing he had been rude.
Sting
The prickly sensation from a needle.
The doctor told her the vaccine would only cause a slight needle sting.
Pang
A sudden sharp bodily pain
Hunger pangs.
Sting
To pierce or wound painfully with a sharp-pointed structure or organ, as that of certain insects.
Pang
A sudden sharp feeling of emotional distress
A pang of guilt.
Sting
To cause to feel a sharp, smarting pain
Smoke stinging our eyes.
Pang
To feel sharp bodily pains.
Sting
To cause to suffer keenly in the mind or feelings
Those harsh words stung me.
Pang
To feel pangs of distress.
Sting
To spur on or stimulate by sharp irritation
"A meaningless retort.
The kind someone is stung into making out of sheer exasperation" (Paul Scott).
Pang
A paroxysm of extreme physical pain or anguish; a feeling of sudden and transitory agony; a throe.
Sting
(Slang) To cheat or overcharge.
Pang
A sudden sharp feeling of an emotional or mental nature, as of joy or sorrow.
Sting
To have, use, or wound with a sharp-pointed structure or organ
Do all bees sting?.
Pang
(transitive) To cause to have great pain or suffering; to torment, to torture.
Sting
To cause a sharp, smarting pain
The needle will sting a little.
Pang
A paroxysm of extreme pain or anguish; a sudden and transitory agony; a throe; as, the pangs of death.
Sting
The act of stinging.
Pang
To torture; to cause to have great pain or suffering; to torment.
Sting
The wound or pain caused by stinging.
Pang
A sudden sharp feeling;
Pangs of regret
She felt a stab of excitement
Twinges of conscience
Sting
A sharp, piercing organ or part, often ejecting a venomous secretion, as the modified ovipositor of a bee or wasp or the spine of certain fishes.
Pang
A mental pain or distress;
A pang of conscience
Sting
A hurtful quality or power
The sting of rejection.
Pang
A sharp spasm of pain
Sting
A keen stimulus or incitement; a goad or spur
The sting of curiosity.
Sting
(Slang) A confidence game, especially one implemented by undercover agents to apprehend criminals.
Sting
A bump left on the skin after having been stung.
Look at this nasty hornet sting: it's turned blue!
Sting
A puncture made by an insect or arachnid in an attack, usually including the injection of venom.
She died from a bee sting.
Sting
A pointed portion of an insect or arachnid used for attack.
Sting
A sharp, localised pain primarily on the epidermis
That plant will give a little sting if you touch it.
Sting
(botany) A sharp-pointed hollow hair seated on a gland which secretes an acrid fluid, as in nettles.
Sting
The thrust of a sting into the flesh; the act of stinging; a wound inflicted by stinging.
Sting
(law enforcement) A police operation in which the police pretend to be criminals in order to catch a criminal.
The criminal gang was caught after a successful sting.
Sting
A short percussive phrase played by a drummer to accent the punchline in a comedy show.
Sting
A brief sequence of music used in films, TV, and video games as a form of scenic punctuation or to identify the broadcasting station.
Sting
A support for a wind tunnel model which extends parallel to the air flow.
Sting
(figurative) The harmful or painful part of something.
Sting
A goad; incitement.
Sting
The concluding point of an epigram or other sarcastic saying.
Sting
(ambitransitive) To hurt, usually by introducing poison or a sharp point, or both.
An adder came out of a little heathbush, and it stung a man in the foot.
Sting
To puncture with the stinger.
A mosquito stung me on the arm.
Sting
To hurt, to be in pain (physically or emotionally).
My hand stings after knocking on the door so long.
Still, it stung when a slightly older acquaintance asked me why I couldn't do any better.
Sting
(figurative) To cause harm or pain to.
I thought I could park in front of the hotel, but they stung me for five pounds!
Sting
Any sharp organ of offense and defense, especially when connected with a poison gland, and adapted to inflict a wound by piercing; as the caudal sting of a scorpion. The sting of a bee or wasp is a modified ovipositor. The caudal sting, or spine, of a sting ray is a modified dorsal fin ray. The term is sometimes applied to the fang of a serpent. See Illust. of Scorpion.
Sting
A sharp-pointed hollow hair seated on a gland which secrets an acrid fluid, as in nettles. The points of these hairs usually break off in the wound, and the acrid fluid is pressed into it.
Sting
Anything that gives acute pain, bodily or mental; as, the stings of remorse; the stings of reproach.
The sting of death is sin.
Sting
The thrust of a sting into the flesh; the act of stinging; a wound inflicted by stinging.
Sting
A goad; incitement.
Sting
The point of an epigram or other sarcastic saying.
Sting
To pierce or wound with a sting; as, bees will sting an animal that irritates them; the nettles stung his hands.
Sting
To pain acutely; as, the conscience is stung with remorse; to bite.
Sting
To goad; to incite, as by taunts or reproaches.
Sting
A kind of pain; something as sudden and painful as being stung;
The sting of death
He felt the stinging of nettles
Sting
A mental pain or distress;
A pang of conscience
Sting
A painful wound caused by the thrust of an insect's stinger into skin
Sting
A swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property
Sting
Cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort;
The sun burned his face
Sting
Deliver a sting to;
A bee stung my arm yesterday
Sting
Saddle with something disagreeable or disadvantageous;
They stuck me with the dinner bill
I was stung with a huge tax bill
Sting
Cause a stinging pain;
The needle pricked his skin
Common Curiosities
Are stings always caused by insects?
No, stings can also result from sharp objects like needles.
What is a hunger pang?
A hunger pang is a cramping sensation in the stomach due to hunger.
What is a pang?
A pang is a sudden, sharp physical or emotional pain.
Are pangs always physical?
No, pangs can also be emotional, such as "pangs of guilt" or "pangs of longing."
How long does a pang usually last?
Pangs are often brief but can recur or linger, depending on the cause.
Can stings cause allergies?
Yes, some people are allergic to insect stings and can suffer severe reactions.
What is a sting?
A sting is a sharp pain caused by an insect or something that pricks or wounds.
What insects cause painful stings?
Insects like bees, wasps, hornets, and fire ants can cause painful stings.
What should I do if I have a severe insect sting?
If you have a severe reaction to an insect sting, seek medical attention immediately.
How can I alleviate a sting's pain?
To relieve a sting's pain, apply a cold compress and take pain relievers if necessary.
Do pangs occur repeatedly?
Yes, pangs can recur, especially emotional ones linked to guilt, remorse, or longing.
What is a pang of guilt?
A pang of guilt is a sudden, sharp feeling of remorse.
Are pangs treatable?
Physical pangs, like hunger pangs, can be managed through diet, while emotional pangs might require support or counseling.
Is "sting" used metaphorically?
Yes, "sting" can metaphorically refer to something that causes distress, e.g., "the sting of betrayal."
Can pangs be prevented?
Pangs are challenging to prevent but managing emotions or maintaining regular meals can help reduce their frequency.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
