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

Fishmeal production has led to chronic chemical exposure, violent protests — typically spurred by the stench from fishmeal factories — and escalating transnational tensions as countries compete for catch. — Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

In the weeks after, more than 85 million pounds of rotting food being kept at the cold storage facility began to rot, leaving a putrid stench lingering over the area that led to infestations of rats, flies and other rodents. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

The family lived in a company house beside a petroleum plant; Metze recalled waking as a child to the stench of kerosene. — Benjamin Wofford, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

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