stink

1 of 2

verb

stank ˈstaŋk How to pronounce stink (audio) or stunk ˈstəŋk How to pronounce stink (audio) ; stunk; stinking

intransitive verb

1
: to emit a strong offensive odor
stank of urine
2
: to be offensive
the election stank of corruption
also : to be in bad repute
3
: to possess something to an offensive degree
stinking with wealth
4
: to be extremely bad or unpleasant
the performance stank
that news really stinks
stinky adjective

stink

2 of 2

noun

1
: a strong offensive odor : stench
2
: a public outcry against something : fuss
made a big stink when asked to leave

Examples of stink in a Sentence

Verb The food is good at that restaurant, but the service stinks. Having a root canal stinks. Noun People raised a stink about the new law. He kicked up a stink about the way he'd been treated.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
There, he’s got better money, better recruits, better facilities, better infrastructure, better opponents — and expectations through the stinking roof. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 2 Feb. 2024 Often compost piles are lacking carbon-rich brown matter (which is the number one cause for bugs and stink), so take advantage of this freebie that will balance your blend and give back to your garden for many growing seasons ahead. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024 Useful tip: Many anglers think of catfish as bottom-feeders that prefer cut bait or stink bait. Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 At some point the thumping stopped, and the steam stink. Richard Brookhiser, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024 Hiring a big-name artist whose work gets millions also stinks of vanity, as good an artist as Marshall is. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 11 Jan. 2024 After allowing 63 points to the stinking Raiders last week, the defense came out inspired against a fine offense — at least for a while. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2023 Why some people think California’s cow manure methane plan stinks Digesters — a technology that harvests methane gas from cow manure — are the cornerstone of California’s bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its $7.5-billion dairy industry. Laurel Rosenhall, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2023 But the population problem is really that California clearly stinks at luring new residents. Jonathan Lansner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2023
Noun
Lingering stains and crumbs can kick up a stink that can be picked up by animals with sensitive noses and perhaps lead to campers having unwanted guests in the middle of the night. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 Herman: There was a big stink from Fox about the music, which is so hilariously wrong. Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2024 When old-heads like Travis Tritt and Alan Jackson made a stink about Beyoncé’s 2016 CMA performance with the Chicks, stars like Kenny Chesney and Blake Shelton rushed to her defense. Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2024 Losing stinks—and the what-ifs and could-have-beens in the postseason can be agonizing. Chris Morris, Fortune, 12 Feb. 2024 To lose a game like that late in the season stinks. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 3 Jan. 2024 With the monster vanquished, the stink of evil can begin to be scrubbed away. Chris Wiley, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2024 Nobody can see each other because the design stinks. Curbed, 1 Dec. 2023 When one unit shines, the other stinks and vice-versa. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stink.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English stincan; akin to Old High German stinkan to emit a smell

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stink was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stink

Cite this Entry

“Stink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stink. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stink

1 of 2 verb
stank ˈstaŋk How to pronounce stink (audio) or stunk ˈstəŋk How to pronounce stink (audio) ; stunk; stinking
1
: to give off or cause to have an unpleasant smell
the garbage pail stinks
2
: to be very bad or unpleasant
that news really stinks
stinker noun

stink

2 of 2 noun
1
: a strong unpleasant odor : stench
2
: a public outcry against something : fuss
made a big stink when asked to leave
stinky
ˈstiŋ-kē
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on stink

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