Stinging the eyes, say

ACRID

Think of the sharp, unpleasant smell that might linger after burning certain plastics or chemicals.

In an old-fashioned sense, you might think of stinging the eyes as something that gives you a feeling of comfort, but actually, it’s more like feeling the worst possible version of a bad turn. The term “stinging the eyes” refers to the feeling of being able to see someone’s worst possible version of a bad turn. This is because the word “acrid” describes something that is harsh and unpleasant, and can be felt even when not directly seen.