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

But the family behind the restaurant is fighting to bring back the popular Taiwanese street food, prized for its distinct, potent stench. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026

The Internet is…the Internet, and soon Shah is facing escalating threats and disapproving media coverage, including a column by his ex (Ritu Arya’s Yasmin), arguing that a Pakistani-British man playing James Bond won’t erase the character’s neo-colonial stench, so why bother? —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026

Here, mismatched buildings sprawl under the heavy stench of diesel and rising humidity. —Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026

In the meantime, the stench around the Canucks will linger. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 2 Mar. 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