mustiness

noun

Definition of mustinessnext
as in staleness

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of mustiness Do a Baking Soda Soak or Wash For stubborn mustiness, Salveson recommends adding 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the drum with the sheets (not the dispenser) and washing on warm. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 June 2026 Along with sending any bad odors out, the fresh air is also a great way to circulate any mustiness and help clear out any lingering germs that may be in the air. — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 31 May 2026 With their high linen content, the sheets exuded no mustiness, only the faint sweet smell of aged paper. — Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026 The film, which screenwriter Rowan Joffé adapted from a 2014 novel of the same name by Lawrence Osborne, seems aware of the orientalist mustiness of this premise without being compelled to subvert it in any meaningful way. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mustiness
  1. staleness
  2. stench
  3. rancidity
  4. funk
Noun
  • Sure, in 1854, the first prepacked box of Whitman's chocolates was introduced, guaranteeing to the American populace a standard of staleness, of flavorlessness, for years to come.
    — Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Less than three months after the end of the World Cup, and concerns that the start of the 2030 cycle would be tame, uneventful and underwhelming — remember the fears regarding the potential staleness as a coach began a second cycle with the team?
    — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of staleness
Noun
  • The single greatest asset that A24 has is the power of its brand to bring younger audiences to theaters and TV platforms without the stench of corporate greed.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The Aliso Canyon gas leak took nearly four months to control, sickened thousands of families and forced them from their homes near the San Fernando Valley to escape a sulfurous stench and maladies including headaches, nausea and nose bleeds.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of stench
Noun
  • Another common sign is rancidity, which occurs when the natural oils in the peanuts oxidize after prolonged exposure to air, light, or heat, Cutter says.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Keep nuts, seeds, and whole-wheat flour in the freezer to avoid rancidity and extend freshness.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 June 2026
Definition of rancidity
Noun
  • At a time when hip-hop had b-boy snap, and techno was still linked to electro-funk, the interplay between the three emergent sounds was at maximum harmony.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 2 Nov. 2026
  • While Wolf has been known to traverse genres on her records, often leaning into the maximalism of funk, soulful dance, R&B and bedroom-pop to indie-rock — Mud was a sonic departure for her that leaned more Americana.
    — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of funk

Browse Nearby Words

must-haves
mustiness
musts
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Cite this Entry

“Mustiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mustiness. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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