stench

noun

1
: stink
2
: a characteristic repugnant quality
stenchful adjective
stenchy adjective

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 streets of Port-au-Prince reek with the stench of the dead. Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 Such was the stench hanging over parts of Dochy’s province that, several decades ago, it was popularly renamed Mest (Manure) Flanders instead of West Flanders. Raf Casert, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2024 But the stench of this loss will likely linger in Baltimore for months. Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 2 Feb. 2024 Once Jaime gets past the stench, the book — an 18th century tale of the Sonoro clan’s long history of evil — is grimly enchanting to him. Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2024 Inside, the aromas of varnish and fresh-cut wood are ever present, but there’s no overpowering stench of resin or the sounds of heavy machinery. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2024 Residents in the local area of Lambeau reported a constant stench from the spill, leaving some worried about their health, according to local media. Abel Alvarado, CNN, 12 Feb. 2024 Add to that gang involvement and the stench of police malfeasance wafting through Knight’s insider connections to the LAPD, and there are dark alleys in all directions. John L. Smith, Rolling Stone, 25 Jan. 2024 There were bodies stacked in piles and in railroad box cars; the stench of death was overwhelming. Daniel Weintraub, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stench.' 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

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near stench

Cite this Entry

“Stench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stench. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stench

noun
: a very disagreeable smell : stink sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on stench

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