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 Neighbors, unable to bear the stench, had burned the remains. Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 After scoring only 31 first-half points and after opening 0 for 13 on 3-pointers, the Heat somehow pushed through the stench for a 96-95 overtime victory over the Brooklyn Nets, after as unsightly a first 24 minutes as could be imagined. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2024 The arrest feels righteous, but the stench of the man’s menace lingers. Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2024 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

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 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stench

noun
: a very disagreeable smell : stink sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on stench

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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