the stench of rotting meat
we finally discovered the dead rat that was causing the stench in the basement
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The sheets will absorb the stench while adding a pleasant scent.—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026 The department has also installed gas wells to better control gas emissions, odor neutralizers to reduce stench, as well as various programs that convert landfill gas to energy, Alonso said.—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026 The stench permeates passing cars with the windows up, lingering inside for days.—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026 Trump, the face of Satan with his hypocrite MAGA demons, engulfed in Epstein stench.—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026 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