The words stung, as he had intended them to, but the hit brought no satisfaction.

Her words stung with venom, but he could tell she didn't mean them.

The old woman's words had stung me to the heart.

His voice was mild and even, but the words stung.

The words stung, but no more so than the look he saw in her eyes.

Her soft words stung like a slap across the face.

He turned away from them with a look of pain, as if their words had stung him.

His words had stung her a little, but she kind of liked that.

His words stung worse than if they'd come from anyone else.

He knew she didn't mean it, but the words stung just the same.