stank 1 of 2

Definition of stanknext
British dialect
as in puddle
a small often deep body of water the Scottish innkeeper advised swimming in the nearby stank only if the prospect of hypothermia seemed appealing

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stank

2 of 2

verb

variants or stunk
past tense of stink
1
as in reeked
to give off an extremely unpleasant smell the dog stinks because she tangled with a skunk again

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2
as in sucked
to be objectionable or unsatisfactory their team really stinks this year

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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 stank
Verb
The 49ers’ rushing attack stunk against the Seahawks last week. Matt Barrows, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026 Dolphins have stunk lately in weather like this. Greg Cote january 1, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026 Minnesota’s late-game offense stunk a year ago. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stank
Noun
  • Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The gangway between the tents opened up to a vast area of benches that reeked of wet dogs under the pressure of texturizing sprays, mousse, rollers, flat irons, and blow-dryers.
    Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Ed’s uncle’s garage apartment reeked of must and jug wine.
    Nick Dothée, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The brutal infection literally sucked the life out of him, Thelma Wood said.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
  • More than a dozen countries have been sucked into the fray and the conflict has stoked fears of an inflation crisis.
    Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Dominican Republic has allowed just 10 runs through five World Baseball Classic games, five of which came in its pool-play finale against Venezuela on Wednesday.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
  • From that point, the cycle of roaming from beach to pool to spa to catamaran to tennis courts takes over, moving at the speed set entirely by you, the guest.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Officers smelled alcohol on Richardson.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Last season, Greg Gard woke up, smelled the analytics, and installed a new, floor-stretching offense.
    Peter Keating, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stank. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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