stink bug

noun

variants or stinkbug
plural stink bugs or stinkbugs
: any of various hemipterous bugs (family Pentatomidae) that have a flattened, shield-shaped body with a triangular scutellum, emit a disagreeable odor when threatened, disturbed, or crushed, and include agricultural and household pests
The Maryland organic farmer is suffering from an infestation of stink bugs—crop-consuming pests emitting the odor of cilantro mixed with burned rubber and dirty socks.Heather Haddon
… Jay McPherson of nearby Southern Illinois University has recorded fifty kinds of stinkbugs from the Pine Hills; possibly the region now deserves the unenviable title of "Stinkbug Capital of the World."Robert H. Mohlenbrock

Examples of stink bug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cicadas are a type of insect, related to stink bugs, bed buds and aphids. Taylor Johnston, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025 Here’s how to get rid of pesky stink bugs The stink bug, a native insect of Asia, has recently become a steady presence in North America. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2025 Get rid of the stink bugs inside your house Even with all these precautions, stink bugs are going to find a way inside your home. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2025 Cicadas are part of the hemiptera order, the same group that includes stink bugs, bed bugs, aphids and cicada families, Kritsky said. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025 These members of the stink bug family have the sucking mouthparts shared by all true bugs, used to feed on cell contents in the plant’s leaves. Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2025 More on cicadas and Brood XIV Cicadas are insects that belong to the hemiptera order, which includes stink bugs, bed bugs, aphids and cicada families, Kritsky said. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025 The beetle, grasped by the stink bug, was still struggling and fluttering to escape, as Justin took the photo in Hong Kong. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 Like, stink bugs and cockroaches, scorpions, ticks, bees, beetles and borers and aphids, snails and mice and voles. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stink bug was in 1840

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Cite this Entry

“Stink bug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stink%20bug. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

stinkbug

noun
stink·​bug ˈstiŋk-ˌbəg How to pronounce stinkbug (audio)
: any of various true bugs that give off a bad smell
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