"Takes the sting out" is a commonly used phrase to describe the act of reducing the negative impact of something. There are several synonyms for this phrase, including "minimize the impact," "dampen the effects," "alleviate the pain," "reduce the severity," "lessen the blow," "diminish the discomfort," "mitigate the harm," and "take the edge off." These synonyms convey the same meaning as "takes the sting out" but use different words to do so. Whether it is a physical or emotional sting, these synonyms can help people better express themselves and find ways to cope with difficulties.