1.   And besides, the administration seems inclined to ease the sting of any tax increase by spending the proceeds on social investment or a middle-class tax cut.

2.   A gentle breeze eases the sting of a sun growing more torrid by the moment on a beautiful morning.

3.   A glass of champagne helped ease the sting of those memories.

4.   For people who may be embarrassed, the extra money in the bank may ease the sting.

5.   His acceptance speech Thursday may be laced with other new initiatives including economic proposals to ease the sting of the welfare bill.

6.   Mayor Willie Brown will join mayors from around the nation Friday in Washington, D.C. to urge President Clinton to ease the sting of welfare reform.

7.   Ms. Jordan smiled to ease the sting of the rebuke.

8.   Shapiro placed his hand on his shoulder, a gesture that seemed to ease the sting.

9.   THIS was the kind of game Washington needed to ease the sting of the drastic reduction in his playing time.

10.   To a degree, fashion eases the sting.