1
as in stench
a strong unpleasant smell
a terrible reek coming from the garbage can
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reek
Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
In that respect, Wolfram is a masterful merger of merger of serious social comment and taut, thrilling action, a film where base human cruelty is always somewhere on the horizon, a film that simply reeks of death and decay (there are more flies than Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia).
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
When he was lugged in Saugus in 2011, reeking of cheap domestic lager, he was first told to turn off the engine in his unmarked MSP Crown Vic.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reek
Noun
Their dreadful February reeks of a team that grew desperate to reap the benefits of a dying method, at least somewhat relinquishing its old, stubborn ways.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
In that respect, Wolfram is a masterful merger of merger of serious social comment and taut, thrilling action, a film where base human cruelty is always somewhere on the horizon, a film that simply reeks of death and decay (there are more flies than Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia).
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Once Catalina was asleep, Pedro tossed his backpack, reeking of the day’s clothes, into the bedroom.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
When he was lugged in Saugus in 2011, reeking of cheap domestic lager, he was first told to turn off the engine in his unmarked MSP Crown Vic.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reek
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reek
Noun
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But like that thong peeking out of jeans and the stench of cloves stuck in clothes, not every trend should see a revival.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
For once, the stench at the Big A is not just coming from the bullpen.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But when the bands of light begin to balletically twirl, pulse, jump, fade, and then burst back like a tornado pushing through the Wizard’s green haze in Oz, sleep is all but forgotten.—
Heather Greenwood Davis,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
-
In my own haze of 'round-the-clock feeds and first-time-parent anxiety, my mom seemed something of a miraculous blur.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The City of Des Plaines said two residents reported smelling gas earlier Tuesday afternoon.—
Shardaa Gray,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
The air smelled faintly of lunch and feet.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Noun
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These sensors enable real-time monitoring across a wide range of conditions, including low light, fog, and obstructed environments, while onboard AI and machine-learning classifiers help identify and flag potential threats.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
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His 2025 tape, WOMB, embodied this through his pensive grumbles over wispy vocal chops; each bar that cut through the fog was steeped in sober gravitas.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Troy Renck: Without change, tomorrow will be like today, and today stinks.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
-
Nikola Jokic stunk in Game 3 on Thursday in Minneapolis.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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The reporting and visual components offer a clear warning — for Atlanta and beyond — of the need for thoughtful planning for these centers as AI and cloud storage needs grow.—
Hugo Rojo,
AJC.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There’s a nostalgia-inducing brow pomade, a beachy body mist, a hydrating eye gel, and more.—
Sarah Kinonen,
Allure,
30 Apr. 2026
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The collection includes lip oils, lip mask, body mists, claw clip, and a puffy Bubs bag.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reek. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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