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

The stench, a byproduct of papermaking, eased years ago with the installation of air-scrubbing equipment and went away completely in September when International Paper closed the mill after 90 years of operation. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 July 2026

Her main concern is about the noxious stench of rotting food. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Hafley and Sullivan arrive from Green Bay to fumigate the place, remove the stench and decay. — Greg Cote july 27, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026

But some people living in McKinley Park think about it every time a certain stench fills the air. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 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