Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lacking a sting: Describes an organism, typically an insect like a bee or wasp, that does not possess a stinger or the physical capability to sting.
   • Harmless, incapable of causing a sharp pain or injury: Used figuratively to describe something that lacks a sharp, hurtful, or damaging quality.

Usage and Examples

• Literal (Biology/Zoology):

  • The stingless bee is important for pollination in tropical regions.
  • Unlike honeybees, these wasps are stingless and pose no threat to humans.

• Figurative:

  • His criticism was surprisingly stingless and lacked its usual bite.
  • The article's satire was stingless and failed to make a strong point.

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Scientific Context: Used as a classifying term in entomology.
  • The study focused on the communication methods of stingless bee species.

Variants and Related Words

• Sting (noun/verb): The sharp organ or act of piercing to inject venom; to cause sharp physical or emotional pain.
• Stinger (noun): The sharp, often venom-injecting organ of an insect or animal.

Synonyms

• Harmless: Not able or likely to cause harm.
• Innocuous: Not harmful or offensive.

Antonyms

• Stinging: Having a sting; capable of stinging.
• Venomous: Capable of injecting venom by means of a sting or bite.
• Hurtful: Causing emotional pain or distress.

Adjective

1. without a sting