the stench of rotting meat
we finally discovered the dead rat that was causing the stench in the basement
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Most of the grand-jury-level stench has emanated from gubernatorial appointees to Orlando-area boards.—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025 Moreover, even when placed in packing bags, shoes (and even swimwear) can lend less-than-ideal stench to your luggage, and bar soap can help stave off the unpleasantness, so that every outfit feels freshly washed.—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 July 2025 Some piles stretched down an entire city block, creating an overwhelming stench in the summer heat, the outlet reported.—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025 The infamous 'Southside stench' of rotten eggs and burning oil permeates homes near the Metalworking Lubricants Co. south of downtown.—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for stench
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
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