stinker

noun

stink·​er ˈstiŋ-kər How to pronounce stinker (audio)
Synonyms of stinkernext
1
a
: an offensive or contemptible person
b
: one that stinks
c
: something of very poor quality
also : dud sense 2a
the movie is a stinker
2
: any of several large petrels that have an offensive odor
3
slang : something extremely difficult
the examination was a real stinker

Examples of stinker in a Sentence

He is a dirty little stinker. a real stinker of a performance
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.
After another stinker for three quarters in prime time, after another disappointment in less-than-pristine weather, there really is no justification for the Dolphins to play another game, let alone another season, with Tagovailoa as the uncontested starter. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Dec. 2025 The object of the game is to win (especially after that stinker of a game against Phoenix on Monday night, when James barely got to 10 and the Lakers were routed 125-108 by a Suns team that played most of the game without Devin Booker). Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025 Bidunga struggles all game After playing two excellent games over the first two days of the Players Era tournament, Bidunga produced a stinker against the Volunteers. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 27 Nov. 2025 After a Thursday-night win that barely felt like a victory, members of a sputtering Broncos offense sliced off a piece of blame and ate their role in a 10-point stinker. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stinker

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stinker was in 1602

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Cite this Entry

“Stinker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stinker. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

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