stench

1 of 2

noun

ˈstench 

1

: stink

2

: a characteristic repugnant quality

the stench of corruption

stenchful

ˈstench-fəl 

adjective

stenchy

ˈsten-chē 

adjective

stenchy

2 of 2

adjective

ˈstenchē 

-er/-est

: having a stench

Synonyms of stench

Noun

• stink
• reek

Examples of stench in a Sentence

Noun

the stench of rotting meat

we finally discovered the dead rat that was causing the stench in the basement

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If breathing hadn’t been so hard, someone would have fainted from the stench of the farmers’ perspiration. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

The air purifier's Odor Neutralizer technology even removes smelly stenches and replaces them with a refreshing scent. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

So much grab-and-go sushi has an instantly recognizable stench. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 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

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Middle English, from Old English stenc; akin to Old English stincan to emit a smell

First Known Use

Noun

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