noun
sting
An undercover operation designed to catch someone committing a crime.
Detectives pose as buyers in a sting to catch gun traffickers.
Etymology
The painful striking word developed a slang sense for a swindle or trap. Law enforcement adapted that trapping idea to an operation designed to catch offenders in the act.
More examples
- The suspect sells stolen phones to an undercover officer during the sting.
- Federal agents conduct several stings to uncover bribery.
- Police set up a fake storefront for a sting operation.
Forms
sting · stings