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Definitions

take the sting out of

VERB
salve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alleviate assuage mollify pacify unburden
STRONG
ally balm becalm calm ease heal quiet relieve settle soften still
WEAK
calm down cool off pour oil on smooth down take the edge off untrouble
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agitate incite upset
STRONG
harm hurt injure irritate move trouble worry
VERB
temper
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abate allay alleviate assuage cool curb dilute ease lessen mitigate mollify restrain soften soothe tone down weaken
STRONG
adjust admix modulate pacify palliate relieve revamp soft pedal switch transmogrify
WEAK
chill out cool out fine tune make reasonable take the bite out of take the edge off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aggravate agitate enlarge extend incite increase intensify irritate magnify provoke raise strengthen trouble upset worry worsen
STRONG
accuse blame condemn
WEAK
bend excite flex infuriate soften

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some extra incentive to file your taxes: That refund money could take the sting out of your next trip to the gas station.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Investors will hope that an uptick in Singapore will take the sting out of the weakness in Macau.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Markets, hoping that China's rapid reopening will take the sting out of global recession risks, may have to be patient.

From Reuters • Jan. 13, 2023

Their Michael continually clicks over from reality into an imaginary TV show where saxophones and canned laughter take the sting out of his pain.

From New York Times • Dec. 1, 2022

It is supposed to take the sting out of the widening gulf between the have-mores and the have-nots.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times