stench

noun

ˈstench 

1

: stink

2

: a characteristic repugnant quality

the stench of corruption

stenchful

ˈstench-fəl 

adjective

stenchy

ˈsten-chē 

adjective

Synonyms of stench

• stink
• reek

Examples of stench in a Sentence

the stench of rotting meat

we finally discovered the dead rat that was causing the stench in the basement

Recent Examples on the Web

The stench of jet fuel, debris and fire from the burning Pentagon spread throughout the city. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Players have had to battle through the stench of bubonic chronic in the vicinity of some courts. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

The overwhelming stench of death is crushing hopes that more survivors will be found in Bidur, a town in Nepal’s Nuwakot district, devastated by last week’s catastrophic floods. — Surendra Phuyal, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026

But Khalatian said many of them, including himself, didn’t suspect the stench was coming from the landfill. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English stenc; akin to Old English stincan to emit a smell — more at stink

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for stench

• clench
• drench
• quench
• tench
• trench
• wench
• wrench
• entrench
• retrench
• workbench

Kids Definition

stench

noun

ˈstench 

: a very disagreeable smell : stink sense 1