as in stink
a strong unpleasant smell
we finally discovered the dead rat that was causing the stench in the basement
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Recent Examples of stench
The city’s colorful outdoor food markets lay abandoned—the usual smell of ripe papaya replaced by the stench of yesterday’s scraps, rotting in the heat.
—
Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
However, rather than blithely dismiss the consequences of legalization with eye-rolling contempt for the puritans, supporters should confront the adverse societal effects of cannabis — the pervasive urban stench, the traffic deaths and the pernicious effects on youth.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Yet recently, residents say the stench and garbage have gotten out of control.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Stale air with the faint stench of a long-dead mouse.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stench
Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
However, rather than blithely dismiss the consequences of legalization with eye-rolling contempt for the puritans, supporters should confront the adverse societal effects of cannabis — the pervasive urban stench, the traffic deaths and the pernicious effects on youth.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Yet recently, residents say the stench and garbage have gotten out of control.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Stale air with the faint stench of a long-dead mouse.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stench
Noun
-
Until then, the air quality might remain a bit lower than usual, and those smelling the stink may smell it still for a little while longer.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The display left even more of a stink given the history of the Jewish State at the Games and the Munich 1972 hostage massacre.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Withholding their reunion reeks of the kind of water-treading felt throughout the first five episodes, but Cooper’s search for his family is a series-long arc, not a seasonal one.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
4 Feb. 2026
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Those of us invited to lead trainings, speak in front of groups, or write pieces like this one need to stay humble, to resist anything that reeks of protest-as-usual, soothing political egos, ideology, or false guarantees.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stench. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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