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
Younger players either watched or didn’t improve as the Raiders stunk on ice. Vic Tafur, New York Times, 7 Mar. 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, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The morning fog had given way to sunshine, but a deep puddle stood nearby from the heavy rain.
    Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 12 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
  • Dinner starts with a brief discussion about Dorit having dinner with PK, a gel fart that has been collected from the air, sucked up into a syringe, and then used as lip filler for Saddam Hussein’s corpse.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Could Leeds United be sucked back into danger?
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Officials said parts of the original bypass structure — built to manage Barton Creek flow — had eroded for decades, creating the potential for sections to collapse into the pool.
    Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The outdoor pool area has three large hot tubs, one of which is adults-only.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The floors smelled of bleach, but a ripe smell of men’s bodies filled the air.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Officers smelled alcohol on Richardson.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stank. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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